Hamlin Court fire ruled accidental

MIDDLETOWN — Fire officials have ruled a blaze that destroyed multiple units at the Hamlin Court Condominiums near College Street as accidental.

There were no injuries as a result of the fire, which began just before 1 a.m. Thursday in the kitchen of one of the units, according to Fire Chief Robert Kronenberger. He was nearby and able to get to the scene shortly after the call.

The affected dwelling suffered “severe damage,” Kronenberger said.

The structure is home to both

apartments and condos, he said. Brick walls that separated the side and back of the apartments from the affected units “worked in our favor,” he said Tuesday.

The fire hydrant was a good distance away from the structure, the chief said, so crews needed a long hose to extinguish the flames. It took three hours to knock down.

The fire marshal ruled the cause was a pot that had been left on the stove, Kronenberger said. A fire alarm in the apartments woke everyone up and allowed residents to escape, he said.

Two families had to seek shelter elsewhere, Kronenberger said. A third unit was damaged during the incident, but were not forced to relocate, he said. Three adults and one child were assisted by the American Red Cross, according to the agency.

Once evacuated, officials brought in Middletown Area Transit buses for victims to stay warm, according to the chief.

Mutual aid was provided by Meriden firefighters, as well as personnel from Westfield Volunteer and South Fire District in Middletown; Portland and Cromwell fire crews covered the Main Street station.

South Fire District / Contributed photo The Hamlin Court Condominiums in Middletown, scene of a recent fire.

Middletown Fire Department / Contributed photo Damage shows at the scene of a condo fire that took place early Thursday at the Hamlin Court Condominiums near College Street in Middletown.