Person, Dog Die In Monroe House Fire: Officials

MONROE, CT — One person and a dog were found dead after a fire tore through a Monroe home late Sunday night, according to the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department.

Volunteer firefighters were called to Cottage Street in the Stevenson section shortly before midnight for a reported structure fire, fire officials said.

The first crews to arrive found a two-story home substantially engulfed in flames. Firefighters searched the home for possible victims and found one adult and one dog dead inside, according to the department.

Crews continued battling the fire and extinguishing hot spots for several hours into Monday morning. No firefighters were injured.

Additional tanker trucks from surrounding towns were called to the scene because the area does not have fire hydrants.

The Monroe Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the fire's cause.

The identity of the person who died was not immediately released.

The fire prompted the closure of Cottage Street between Downs Road and Brookside Trail Monday morning as authorities investigated the scene.

"We express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the resident involved," the department wrote.