Naugatuck fire displaces nearly 20

NAUGATUCK — Nearly 20 people were displaced by a fire at Lantern Park Wednesday morning that damaged a condominium complex and injured a firefighter, according to local police.

Naugatuck police officers, firefighters and ambulance personnel responded to Lantern Park Drive around 9 a.m. Wednesday for a report of a structure fire at the complex’s Building 145, police said. Firefighters with surrounding fire departments in Waterbury, Beacon Falls, Cheshire and Prospect also responded to provide mutual aid, Naugatuck fire officials said in a Facebook post.

Building 145 contains seven two-story townhouse-style units, according to Naugatuck police officer Shelby Johnson. Photos taken on the scene by a member of the Connecticut Fire Photographers Association depict flames and black smoke erupting from the roof of the building.

Responders were able to extinguish the fire, but not before all seven units were rendered uninhabitable due to fire and water damage, Naugatuck police said in the Facebook post. One firefighter was injured in the effort and was treated at an area hospital, police said.

Three of the seven units were also structurally compromised, according to the Facebook post. In total, 19 people were displaced by the fire, police said, though the American Red Cross reported nine children and 12 adults were affected. The displaced residents are receiving assistance from the nonprofit organization as well as Naugatuck emergency management officials, the Facebook post said.

Police said the cause and origin of the fire are under investigation.