Man, 28, who died in North Haven fire was lifelong resident, Air Force vet Cause investigated in blaze that killed Air Force veteran

A North Haven police officer tapes off the entrance to 22 Helen Drive. A 28-year-old man was found dead after a fire broke out early Monday. A North Haven police officer tapes off the entrance to 22 Helen Drive. A 28-year-old man was found dead after a fire broke out early Monday. Photo: Wes Duplantier — New Haven Register Photo: Wes Duplantier — New Haven Register Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Man, 28, who died in North Haven fire was lifelong resident, Air Force vet 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

NORTH HAVEN >> A 28-year-old man died early Monday in a house fire at 22 Helen Drive, Deputy Fire Chief Dave Marcarelli said.

David Bujalski, the owner of the home and a lifelong North Haven resident, was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

Marcarelli said no one else was in the house, which is at the top of a steep driveway at the end of Helen Drive. The small street was blocked at the Hartford Turnpike as crews battled the flames before dawn.

When firefighters arrived at about 5:30 a.m., flames were shooting through the roof.

“Crews arrived to find heavy fire showing from the house on top of the hill,” Marcarelli said. “It has a long driveway (and) we had to make our way up to get to the fire.”

Marcarelli said it is believed the fire originated in the rear bedroom.

“Firefighters made an interior attack and knocked down as much of the fire as they possibly could,” Marcarelli said.

During a search, they found Bujalski in the rear bedroom.

Marcarelli said they had a difficult time getting water to the house because of the steep driveway and distance from the hydrant.

“It took a lot of volume of water and it took some time to establish a water supply,” he said.

The house was destroyed by the fire, Marcarelli said.

Investigators from the state Fire Marshal’s Office were called in to assist the Fire Department and town Fire Marshal’s Office. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

Shortly before 8 a.m., a crying woman was led down the long driveway, assisted by a fire official and others.

Bujalski was a graduate of North Haven High School and Albertus Magnus College.

First Selectman Michael Freda said the victim was also a U.S. Air Force veteran.

“Our deepest condolences go to the Bujalski family,” Freda said. “It was a very sad day for us here as a result of this fatality, which was the second fire fatality we have had recently.”

According to town assessor records, Bujalski bought the home in 2010. The 1,748 square-foot ranch-style home was built in 1960.

The Monday blaze is the second fatal fire in North Haven in a little more than a month. A Sept. 14 fire killed Kevin Tennyson, 49, who was found dead in the basement of a Hartford Turnpike house not far from Helen Drive.

Monday’s fire knocked out power to homes in the neighborhood, but United Illuminating Co. workers arrived to restore service after the flames were out.