[UPDATED] Fire Guts Downing Street Home

UPDATED, 4 p.m.

The West Hartford Fire Department has advised that the fire which severely damaged a home this morning actually occurred at 31 Downing St., at the corner of Downing and Red Top, not at 31 Red Top Dr. as originally reported.

West Hartford Batallion Chief Jim Quish said that firefighters initially responded to a call about a fire at 31 Red Top Dr., and upon arrival there was no fire at that location.

Smoke was visible at the other end of Red Top Dr., where it intersects Downing St., and there firefighters found a 2-story Cape Cod frame house with a "pretty good fire going," Quish said.

Firefighters' efforts to combat the flames were initially hampered by the presence of a large number of combustibles on the first floor, Quish said. He reported that newspapers and other materials – much more than normal – were "piled quite high" and they had a tough time getting into the house.

According to Quish, firefighters verified with neighbors that no one was home, checked the second floor, and were able to combat the fire from outside the home.

All 21 West Hartford firefighters on duty responded to the fire, and all engines were used. Fire companies from New Britain and Hartford also assisted, Quish said. The extremely hot weather required the extra personnel, he said.

No one was at home at the time of the fire, and no firefighters were injured.

Quish said that the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A fire severely damaged a home at 31 Red Top Dr. Friday morning.

The fire was reported at 7:55 a.m., and according to neighbors, no one was in the house at the time.

Engines from multiple West Hartford Fire Department units responded. Holes were cut in the home's roof and at least one tree had to be cut down to control the fire and stop the spread of the flames.

There is no word yet on the cause of the fire.