Crews battle intense fire at South Windsor farmhouse amid storm, pets rescued

SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. (WWLP) – Fire crews from across Connecticut were called to a large house fire on Niederwerfer Road Friday afternoon.

Flames tore through a two-and-a-half-story farmhouse on Niederwerfer Road in South Windsor during a summer storm Friday.

The South Windsor Fire Department was called shortly after 2 p.m. to the 300 block of Niederwerfer Road for a reported house fire. South Windsor Fire Chief Kevin Cooney arrived within six minutes and confirmed a working fire, with heavy flames visible from the front porch and first floor of the residence.

With vehicles in the driveway but no one outside, firefighters quickly made entry from the opposite side of the home to initiate a search. Two cats were located inside, but the volume of fire on the first floor forced crews to retreat. A short time later, the homeowner arrived on the scene and confirmed all occupants were safely out of the house.

Crews faced additional difficulties due to the rural location, which has no nearby fire hydrants. Mutual aid was immediately requested for water tankers, and a supply line of more than 3,000 feet was laid to support firefighting operations.

Approximately 40 South Windsor firefighters worked to put out the fire, assisted by mutual aid departments from Broad Brook, Vernon, Ellington, Manchester, East Hartford, Glastonbury, Warehouse Point, and Windsor. Additional jurisdictional coverage was provided by the Bloomfield Center and Bolton fire departments.

The response took place during a severe storm cell, with lightning and temperatures nearing 100 degrees. Despite the difficult weather and fire conditions, no injuries were reported among fire personnel.

Crews also helped rescue approximately 20 pigs from an attached garage. The condition of the two cats located inside remains unconfirmed as of Friday evening.

Support on scene was provided by the South Windsor Police Department, the Ambulance Service of Manchester, and South Windsor’s 9-1-1 dispatchers, who were praised for their coordination during the emergency.

The South Windsor Fire Marshal’s Office remains on scene investigating the origin and cause of the fire.