Two Perish in Crane Street House Fire

Fairfield, CT - Monday, March 10, 5pm - Fairfield Police Department has confirmed that the two occupants at 135 Crane Street, Fairfield, which was heavily damaged in an early morning fire, succumbed to their injuries and, after notifying family members, has identified the deceased as Maureen Gerrity, 47, and her daughter Katherine O'Neill, 19.

The Fairfield Fire Marshal's Office has determined that the fire originated in the first floor living room and the cause was believed to be accidental in nature. The initial 911 call at 12:58am reported "flames pouring out of the house" across the street with the caller uncertain whether the people who live there were home. Car 3, Engines 1, 2, 3, 4, Ladders 1 & 2 were immediately dispatched, with Assistant Chief George Gomola in Car 3 first on the scene at 1:03am reporting "heavy fire showing from the [front and right side] with two people trapped."

Engine 2 stretched a 2 ½" hoseline to knock down the large body of fire in the first floor living room allowing Ladder 2 to make entry via a window to initiate a search. As Engine 3 set up a ladder to the second floor dormer window to gain entry, Ladder 2 reported finding the two occupants in a second floor bedroom and initiating their rescue. Both occupants were removed and turned over to American Medical Response for transport to Bridgeport Hospital where they were later declared dead; one firefighter went with AMR to assist in patient care. Engines 1 and 4 along with Ladder 1 arrived and assisted in fighting the fire which had extended into the second floor and attic space as well as dropping down into the basement from the living room. Fire Chief Richard Felner, Deputy Chief Art Reid, Fire Marshal Bill Kessler, Deputy Fire Marshal Darrick Lundeen, Inspector Hank Ference and Safety Officer Chris Tracy arrived onscene along with Engine 5, Southport Squad 14 and Tactical Unit 14 and Westport Engine 2 with Assistant Chief Rob Yost to assist, and several AMR ambulances along with United Illuminating joined Fairfield Police in securing the scene.

Representatives from the State Police Arson Investigation Unit and Building Official Tom Conley responded for the investigation, with Fairfield Fire Marshal Bill Kessler last unit to clear at 1:44pm.