New Haven Independent

The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire, said Assistant Fire Chief Ralph Black. No one was injured. He said the building is a residential and office building.

Just after 2 p.m. firefighters with oxygen masks were swarming the house. Some smashed basement windows from the outside to ventilate the fire. Smoke came billowing out of the basement. A truck ladder was extended to the roof of the building, where firefighters were busy punching vents.

Chief Grant shouted instructions into the basement. He wore his dress uniform in preparation for a 3 p.m. promotions ceremony.

Wooster Square resident Andy Ross was on the sidewalk. He said he had seen the firefighters deploying hoses to fight the fire. One fireman had been knocked over by the force of a hose, he said.

As firefighters doused the basement blaze, others roamed through the house, opening windows and letting smoke out and checking for hot spots. As they emerged from the house, they removed their oxygen masks. One of them coughed from inhaled smoke.

A Christmas tree was visible through a second-story window.