One person has died in a house fire on Pine View Drive in North Branford.
The fire started around 6 a.m. on Friday. Several people were able to get out of the house, but one did not.
Neighbors said a mother and her two middle-aged sons live in the house.
A family member said the victim is her step-brother. Police have not confirmed the gender or the age of the victim.
Officials said the flames were so strong that they had to pull firefighters back for fear that the roof would collapse and that is what happened.
The fire chief said a neighbor placed a ladder at the back of the house and tried to help the victim out, but the fire was too intense. The victim was found at the back of the house, officials said.
This is the fire fatal fire in North Branford in more than 20 years.
Investigators said there is no sign of working smoking detectors. An investigation is underway.
