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    Police-Fire Reports
    Saturday, May 04, 2024

    Chimney fire spreads to Preston house owned by Susette Kelo

    Preston — A multifamily home on Drawbridge Road owned by Susette Kelo suffered damage following a Wednesday night fire.

    The blaze, first called in as a chimney fire around 9 p.m., heavily damaged the second floor and attic area of 21 Drawbridge Road, Preston City Fire Chief Tom Casey said. According to online records, the home is owned by Kelo, the lead plaintiff in the Kelo v. City of New London eminent domain case that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Also listed as an owner is Jonathan Kelo, her son, who lives on the first floor of the 1,800-square-foot, two-floor home.

    Casey said firefighters attacked the blaze with a hand line inside the home. The flames were knocked down in 15 minutes and the blaze was under control within 30 minutes, he said.

    Four people were displaced by the fire, Casey said. Two firefighters were evaluated on scene by medical personnel, he said.

    Preston City, Gales Ferry and the Poquetanuck fire departments responded to the fire, as well as a FAST team from the Mohegan Tribal Fire Department.

    Kelo was known for her “little pink house” in the Fort Trumbull neighborhood when the area was taken by eminent domain by the city of New London. The home was dismantled and moved in 2007, and Kelo moved to Groton.

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