3 firefighters injured, over 100 displaced after apartment fire in Avon

AVON, Conn. (WTNH) – Over 100 residents are still displaced Monday night after a fire engulfed a large multi-family apartment in Avon and injured three firefighters on Sunday.

Avon Fire Chief Bruce Appell said that the call came in at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Avon Place Apartments. The exterior of the building was on fire when crews arrived.

The apartment building contained 58 occupied units. Fire officials said the large size of the building and the high number of residents made fighting the fire more difficult than normal.

According to the Avon Fire Department, the fire began on an outside porch and spread quickly to the third floor of the building.

Residents found water damage, smoke damage and missing pets when they returned to their homes on Monday.

“The fire chief was helping me find the cats, but it seems like they kicked out all the bottom windows and let all the cats roam free, so you can’t find your cats can’t find them,” said Christopher Manning, a resident of the apartment building. “I lost everything, I’m just trying to figure it out. Right now, I’m staying at a friend’s house.”

Fire officials said there was a narrow space between the third-floor ceiling and the roof that allowed the fire to spread across the apartments. Crews had to cut holes into the roof to reach the narrow space and knock the fire down.

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries and were treated on the scene, according to Appell. One other firefighter was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

Residents also found that some of their items were stolen, when they returned on Monday.

“There was a brand new computer monitor, a printer a kids video games at cricket there was a cricket machine and heat press. I am so upset,” said Diyana Miriyala, a resident of the apartment building.

None of the occupants were harmed. Fire crews are working with the residents to recover any undamaged belongings and help relocate them for the night.

Appell said the building owner helped all the occupants find accommodations at hotels overnight, yet many residents said they feel left in the dark.

“No information, no one from the property management was on site to give the instructions to people, to give any kind of guidance, you have kids running around, people are getting cold. Nothing,” said Leo Kosovskay, a resident of the apartment building.

News 8 reached out to the management company but they have not returned the phone call yet. This fire is still under investigation.

Check back with News 8 for more details.

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