Stamford Fire That Displaced 32 People Likely Started In Illegal Dwelling

STAMFORD, Conn. -- A fire that spread across two multi-family homes and displaced 32 people on Monday night was caused by overloaded electrical in a small illegal apartment, according to the Stamford Advocate.

One home on Alden Street in Stamford was completely consumed by flames on Monday afternoon. The fire broke out a block from Stamford Hospital.
Photo Credit: *Stamford Fire‏ Department via Twitter @SFDPIO*

Casey Donahue

09/27/2017 12:30 p.m.

The fire started at around 5:12 p.m. on Monday night, beginning at 50 Alden St. and spread to the adjacent 46 Alden St., according to fire officials. Firefighters arriving on scene encountered heavy fire coming out the back of 50 Alden St., and the blaze grew to a five-alarm fire while they were battling it. The fire took place in a densely populated area, according to fire officials.

Three civilians and four firefighters were taken to the hospital for evaluation as a result of the fire, which took 59 firefighters to extinguish, according to fire officials.

Fire officials investigating the cause of the fire discovered a small, five-foot by seven-foot illegal dwelling on the first floor of 50 Alden St., according to the Stamford Advocate. The apartment was located on the rear porch of the house and was made of plywood and two-by-fours, according to the Stamford Advocate.

Inside the illegal apartment were a mattress, microwave, air conditioner and space heater, among other appliances, plugged into power strips and overburdened electrical outlets, the Stamford Advocate reported. Investigators told the Stamford Advocate that it is likely the fire started as a result of the overloaded outlets.

Click here to read the Stamford Advocate story.

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