More than 50 firefighters from flocked to Sweetbriar Lane in Avon to beat back flames that tore through a condo unit late Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency responders hailing from the Avon, Farmington, East Farmington and Tunxis Hose fire companies braved the elements, working in shifts to stay safe in the bitter cold.
"We've needed more personnel. We had to cycle people out," explained Mary-Ellen Harper, director of Farmington Fire & Rescue Services. "The firefighters that were immediately first on scene were covered in ice, and obviously they can't stay like that for a long time, so we've been cycling them in and out to thaw them while keeping water on the fire."
Flames tore through the roof around 2 p.m., causing the first floor to cave in. As of 5:45 p.m., crews were still stamping out hot spots in the basement of 6 Sweetbriar Lane, and all that all that remained was a charred frame and smoldering embers.
Harper said residents of the burning condo are out of town. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and firefighters corralled the flames to keep them from spreading to neighboring units.
It's not clear what caused the blaze. A fire marshal is investigating.
Check back for updates.
