19 affected by fire in New Haven

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- 19 people including two infants were forced into the street after a fire struck two buildings on Hazel Street in New Haven this morning.

The fire was reported at 111 Hazel street in the Newhallville section of the city around 5:30 a.m., then spread to neighboring 113 Hazel street.

A mom was holding her seven month old son close after carrying him from their burning apartment.

"I was scared and nervous because there was mad smoke in the hallway," Elizabeth Czekaj said.

The mom living next door also rescued her infant daughter from the flames.

"The baby sleep with her in her room and when she saw the fire, she go to her room, pick up the baby and go out immediately," Dafney Rolon, the grandmother, said.

In all, 19 people made it out safely as fire swept through two houses on Hazel Street early Tuesday morning. Smoke quickly filled number 111, as a mom clutched her baby feeling her way down the stairs.

"I took my baby down the hallway and there was mad smoke, I couldn't see anything at all," Czekaj said.

"Yeah, there was heavy smoke and smoke will cripple anybody, whether you are a baby or a middle aged peson," Chief Michael Grant of the New Haven Fire Dept. said.

The houses in the neighborhood are close to together. The flames from one house jumped out of the window and sparked a blaze in the house right next door.

Everyone was able to get out okay, but now there are questions as to whether the smoke detectors were functioning or if it was maternal instincts waking the moms to grab their babies and get out.

"I didn't hear any but we have smoke detectors," Czekaj said.

Both houses were so damaged by smoke and water, the families can't go back.

"But thanks to God they live," Rolon said.

The red cross was there to help and neighbors were also bringing diapers and blankets to comfort the babies and their brave moms.