Middletown fire chief: fatal overnight house fire appears to be electrical; peer support offered

The Middletown Fire Chief told the City Council that a fatal house fire early Saturday at 11 Star Haven was met with "heavy fire condition in the basement" and zero visibility, and that two firefighters performed the search and removed the victim to awaiting life-safety procedures.

"Firefighter Craig Becker and firefighter Joe Healey made the search and brought the victim out the front door where life safety procedures were started," the Fire Chief said, and he noted the department used mutual aid from nearby companies and contacted Orange County Department of Emergency Services to offer peer support to members after the call.

The chief said the department "reached out to all of our members" for counseling as needed and that "everything's pointing to electrical," but added the cause is still under investigation pending the Orange County Fire Investigation Unit's final report.

Council members thanked fire personnel for their response and commended the department for arranging peer support for members affected by the incident. No operational or policy decisions were taken during the meeting; the investigation and any follow-up will be handled by investigators and the department.

The chief's remarks provided the most recent factual update from emergency responders; the council did not receive any alternative cause or additional evidence during the meeting.