Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Gales Ferry House Fire Ruled Accidental

House on Harvard Terrace Had Changed Owners Earlier This Month

Update: A press release issued by Ledyard police Monday afternoon said the investigation by the Ledyard Police Department, Office of the Ledyard Fire Marshal, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal determined the fire to be accidental in nature.

Original story:

At 4:10 this morning the Gales Ferry Fire Department was called to a house fire at 45 Harvard Terrace that left the structure, which had changed owners less than two weeks ago, badly damaged.

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Gales Ferry Fire Chief Tony Saccone was the first to reach the scene. He said the front of the house was fully involved and a stong wind was carrying the blaze back through the structure.

The house was unoccupied, having just been purchased on Nov. 3 by Karen W. Moorehead of Gales Ferry from C.J. Garrett of Mystic. Moorehead, the school resource officer with the Montville Police Department, paid $182,000 for the property.

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Saccone said the new owner had been doing work on the house. He said there was no furniture or personal property inside.

The Ledyard Fire Department and Sub Base Fire Department also responded. Saccone said the fire was subdued before 5 a.m. He said there were no injuries.

The fire appeared to have started in the front of the house. Saccone said it is being investigated by the state Fire Marshall's Office.

Asked if the house can be repaired, Saccone said the town Building Official would need to make that call.

This was the first serious structure fire in Gales Ferry in three years or more, Saccone said. "It's been quite a while," he said.


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