by STAFF | May 24, 2017 10:38 am

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Posted to: Ansonia

Ansonia emergency crews saved a family’s rabbit during Tuesday’s fire on Hubbell Avenue.

The fire was reported just before 11 a.m. The cause remains under investigation. An update from the fire marshal is posted toward the end of this post.

The address was 17 Hubbell Ave., across from the Sixth Street intersection.

The fire displaced a large family, but there were no injuries reported.

Ansonia and Rescue Medical Services shared a photo on Facebook showing that a rabbit made it out alive.

The rabbit appeared lethargic, but an EMS crew was able to help the animal with an oxygen mask designed for pets.

Here is the Facebook post from ARMS:

The caption read, “ . . . AFD rescued a domesticated rabbit from inside the home of the fire that appeared lethargic, and brought it to EMS. Ansonia Rescue has equipped all ambulances with pet oxygen masks since 2008 and was able to provide necessary oxygen to the rabbit, improving its condition. ARMS has since located a loving rescue agency for the rabbit (H3 Pet Supply) and it has been treated. Great teamwork by all! That’s one lucky bunny.”

And here’s an update from H3 Pet Supply:

The caption with this photo read:

“Meet Jack, a very sweet and affectionate, medium-sized male rabbit. Jack survived a devastating house fire today in Ansonia. Kudos to the Ansonia Fire Department for going above and beyond to save Jack’s life. Jack was unconscious when they removed him from the home and the Ansonia Rescue & Medical Services were able to revive him with oxygen.

They contacted us about taking him, which we immediately agreed to. Our friends at Barnum Animal Hospital checked him out, took xrays and everything seems OK. Jack is one lucky rabbit. We are in desperate need of a foster home for Jack.

We would like to place him with someone that is home frequently to watch that he is eating, drinking and acting normally.

We feel the store would be too stressful of a situation for him given all that he went through today. If you can help us out by fostering, contact us at 203-690-1400.

Please share as finding him an appropriate foster home is urgent right now. We will provide everything you need at no cost to you.

Ansonia Fire Dept – you guys rock. Thank you for caring about this little guy’s life.”

CAUSE AND ORIGIN?

In related news, Fox 61 aired a report Tuesday saying the Ansonia Fire Department’s response was hampered by a nonworking fire hydrant.

Fire Marshal Darrick Lundeen said Wednesday that “the first hydrant that they took had low water pressure and lower water volume.”

That happens sometimes, Lundeen said.

In west Derby for example, maintaining water pressure during fires in a worry — which is why the Regional Water Authority has been trying for years to convince Derby to allow a water tank to be constructed.

But Lundeen said that particular Ansonia neighborhood’s hydrants usually work well.

He said fire officials planned to follow up with the water company to see if they could figure out what happened.

Lundeen said he’s still investigating the fire’s cause and origin.

The fire marshal said he hopes to take witness statements and make a determination as to how the fire started by the beginning of next week.