Residents evacuate New Haven fire

(WTNH) -- A residential fire in New Haven early Friday sent several people out into the street in little more than their night clothes.

The fire was reported on Ellsworth Ave. near Whalley Ave. a little after 5:00 a.m.

The building has businesses on the first floor, residences on the upper floors. Smoke could be seen coming from the building an hour after the fire was first reported.

Many people believed to be residents evacuated the building and were looking for help from the Red Cross to find a place to stay warm.

No injuries have been reported.

The streets in the immediate area of the fire were closed.

Earlier in the morning New Haven firefighters were called out to a fire at an empty building on Grand Ave. Two people were killed in that building in  2004. It is known to be a place for homeless people to gather.