Families escape condo complex fire

Norwalk, Conn. (WTNH) - Several families in Norwalk escaped an early morning blaze at a condo complex Sunday.

The three alarm fire caused lots of damage. Firefighters say when they got to the scene there were flames, smoke and chaos. Folks grabbing their coats were saying people were trapped inside

Wrapped in a blanket, Andrew Lev was still dazed by the damage, crediting smoke detectors for getting himself and his neighbors out alive.

"Fire alarms," said Lev, "make sure you got them cause everybody got out. Ya know, the rest is just stuff."

Eight of the units in Building A at Silver Ridge Condominiums, located at 8 Oakwood Ave., were a total loss, the other four have sever smoke and water damage.

Fire officials say around 5:30 Sunday morning flames quickly spread from a center unit on second floor.

"Opened the door to the porch next to it and that's when I just saw a wall of fire," Lev said, "dropped the fire extinguisher and got out of there."

"When you pull up there is people screaming, pulling on your coat telling you there is people trapped," said Deputy Chief Stephen Shay, Norwalk Fire Dept.

Everyone was able to get out safely, including pets. Then the roof collapsed forcing firefighters to battle the blaze from the outside and above.

The dozen homeowners now left with almost nothing are getting help from the American Red Cross.

"Hey everybody was fine," said Lev, "the rest is just stuff."

The damage was so severe it's likely that all eight units will be demolished.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.