Aurelian Kamp and John Morris, an 8-year-old boy and a 72-year-old man, sadly passed away in a fire at their North Haven home. Fire officials confirmed the cause of the blaze began with a cigarette on Tuesday.
The fatal house fire in North Haven claimed the lives of Aurelian Kamp, who was eight years old, and John Morris, aged seventy-two. The fire chief stated Tuesday that this appears to be the origin of the fire incident.
According to Fire Chief Paul Januszewski, the fire started in the downstairs living area. Smoke and flames moved quickly throughout the house because interior doors had been left open overnight. Chief Januszewski mentioned the absence of sufficient smoke alarms in the two-story residence and the possibility that the emergency number was not contacted immediately.
Aurelian Kamp, turning eight months before the incident, and John Morris, the boy’s grandfather or “Papa,” were the two individuals who lost their lives, the fire chief reported. Four other residents, including two children and two adults, were able to escape the fire. One adult, the boy’s mother, is currently receiving medical treatment.
First Selectman Michael Freda expressed the town’s support and condolences to the families. He emphasized the community’s unity in grief and appreciation for the fire department’s prompt actions.
A planned event at St. Barnabas Church offered comfort to the family. Fire Department officials also reminded residents about the importance of having working smoke alarms and a clear emergency plan.
The first emergency call arrived at 12:28 a.m. Monday. A second call, just one minute later, reported a child was trapped upstairs. Firefighters arrived quickly and found heavy flames on multiple floors. They located John Morris in a bedroom on the second floor and discovered Aurelian Kamp under a bed. Chief Januszewski noted uncertainty about why the boy sought shelter beneath the bed or whether his grandfather was attempting to protect him.
After the fire was extinguished Monday, the roof suffered significant damage. Burn marks were visible on the front door and several windows.
Chief Januszewski praised the actions of neighbors who attempted to enter the burning structure to assist. However, dispatchers received conflicting information about emergency calls, leading to confusion. He stressed the importance of directly contacting emergency services even if one suspects someone else might have already done so.
He also highlighted the role of open doors in allowing smoke and heat to travel rapidly between rooms. He urged residents to install smoke detectors on every floor and in each bedroom.
First Selectman Michael Freda encouraged everyone to assess their own fire safety measures to prevent future incidents.
The North Haven Fire Department suggested residents consult their website and social media channels for more information on fire safety.
