A plumber's torch started the fire that displaced six families from their apartment at the Deerfield Gardens and Sunset Gardens complex in Waterbury on Tuesday afternoon, according to officials.
The flames sparked around 1 p.m., Sandra Sattler, the director of property management for Carabetta Management, which owns the complexes on Midfield Drive, said on Tuesday.
"I've never been through anything like this," said Jeannette Santiago, who had just settled into her new place. "It's brand new in there, and it's gone."
She and other residents stood in shock and watched their homes burn.
"I was washing a coffee pot getting ready to go to work," said Lori Salvatore, another resident. "It's unbelievable. Just unbelievable."
Six two-bedroom units were ravaged by heavy fire and smoke.
Residents filtered back into their burned-out apartments late Tuesday evenings to salvage whatever belongings they could.Sattler said the complex will be able to house the families in other apartments.
On Wednesday, some families returned and there was a moment of celebration when Harley, a pet cat, was found alive and hiding behind a couch in an apartment.
"He's alive. We found the cat," one of the residents yelled. "The kids are going to be so happy. They were crying all night."
Working smoke detectors and firewalls were in place, according to officials. Fortunately, no one was injured.
