Dozen displaced by Torrington blaze

TORRINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) -- Firefighters responded to a blaze in Torrington Wednesday morning.

An alarm clock can be jarring enough but smoke, however, is a brutal way to quickly wake up.

"Me and my girlfriend were sleeping and she comes out running talking about smoke, fire in the kitchen and I didn't even look in the kitchen, I just ran out, and uh, got me and my girlfriend outside. We got the dogs out," said Mike Loesher.

The origin of the fire was on the first floor of a two story brick, four unit apartment building, located at 222 North Elm Street, shortly before 10 a.m.

"I opened the kitchen window because we were trying to look for one of the dogs. As soon as I opened it tons of black smoke just hit me the face," said Loesher.

Torrington fire crews arrived in minutes and quickly doused heavy smoke and flames.

"Number one priority of course is life safety, trying to make sure everyone is out. This is a multiple family apartment building and it was very dangerous being on the first floor trying to search for victims," said Deputy Chief Chris Pepler, Torrington Fire Dept.

At least twelve people were forced from their homes which in itself is alarming, when life suddenly becomes more difficult, trying to figure out the next move, forced to move on.

"I was in my boxers, I didn't even have nothin'," said Loesher.

The damage to the first floor is significant and there is debris everywhere.

The Fire Marshall is investigating the cause of the fire.

It could be some time before anyone can get back in the building to live again. The Red Cross is helping out the displaced residents.