30 Left Homeless in Norwich Fire

A 64-year-old Norwich woman remains in critical condition after an early morning fire Sunday in Norwich that displaced more than 30 people. 

It took six hours for the fire department to bring the fire under control in the 100-year old three-story building at 231 Central Ave, during which, two firefighters were also hurt.

When firefighters arrived shortly after 2:30 a.m. Sunday, two transmitters exploded, according to Fire Chief Kenneth Scandariheo, of the Norwich Fire Department, said. Power was knocked out to a large area of Norwich, but it was restored by 8 a.m.

Seven families lived in the multiple-unit apartment building, which is above the Sunshine Farms store. 

Judith Evans, received third degree burns and suffered from smoke inhalation. She was taken to Bridgeport Hospital by Lifestar helicopter.

Two Norwich firefighters were hurt when they slipped down a wet ladder on their way out of a third-floor window, officials said. They were treated at William W, Backus Hospital and had been released by Monday morning.

At least 19 people from the seven families were left scrambling for housing Sunday. Four others were displaced because of the power problem. The Red Cross was assisting.

The fire started on the second floor and quickly spread to the third floor and attic. Residents rushed from their apartments with just the clothes on the backs.

"My phone started ringing. Somebody's knocking on my door. It was my neighbor telling me my building was on fire," resident Lissa Campbell said.  "I grabbed my niece and nephew and ran them downstairs." 

Debora James had gone Christmas shopping over the weekend. The presents were in her closets and in her car.

"Everything we ever owned - baby pictures, hospital bracelets - everything is gone," James said as firefighters worked on the building.  James and her daughters were left homeless by the fire.

The convenience store, Sunshine Farms, was destroyed. It had served the neighborhood for 13 years.

"I will wait to see the damage. I don't have that kind of money to rebuild it," said Sami Ahmed, the owner of the building and of Sunshine Farms.

Chief Scandariheo said the building appeared to be a total loss.  

"It's a very old building - 1896 - with a lot of void spaces," Scandariheo said.

Norwich investigators are trying to determine what caused the fire.

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