Hartford firefighters faced heavy fire conditions at an abandoned three-story apartment building in the South End and operated defensively

By Jesse Leavenworth
Journal Inquirer

HARTFORD, Conn. — Hartford firefighters worked to douse a fierce blaze that ripped through a vacant apartment building on Franklin Avenue late Saturday.

No one was hurt, the fire department reported. Crews responded to the 100 block of Franklin Avenue around 11:30 p.m. and arrived to find heavy fire through most of the three-story building, officials said.

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Due to the volume of fire and unsafe conditions, crews operated defensively, a news release said. A second alarm was transmitted shortly after to bring in more personnel and resources, especially given the frigid temperatures and the need to frequently rotate firefighters, the release said.

The blaze caused severe damage throughout the building, said District Fire Chief Mario Oquendo Jr, the fire department spokesperson.

The fire extended to an adjacent building, but crews prevented any major damage, the release said. Another nearby building sustained minor damage due to broken windows from a partial collapse of the destroyed apartment building, officials said.

The Hartford Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the blaze, the release said.

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