STAMFORD — Hidden near the back porch of a multifamily West Side home was a tiny 5-by-7-foot illegal apartment carved out in plywood that investigators say was destined to blow.
Chief Fire Marshal Charles Spaulding says the unit contained a mattress, microwave, air conditioner and other small appliances plugged into power strips that sparked this week’s blaze that destroyed the Alden Street home and damaged the adjacent residence, displacing 32 people.
Spaulding said state fire marshals agreed the fire started in the illegal unit and was likely ignited by the overloaded electrical circuits.
“Any one of those cords could have caused ignition,” Spaulding said. “In our experience, it’s not if a fire will start with such an arrangement of electrical cords and power strips, but when.”
According to city property records, Victor LaLanne has owned the home since 1983. The 3,600-square-foot structure is listed as a three-family home with five bedrooms, according to property records. The home was built in 1915 and appraised last year for $357,160.
LaLanne has not been able to be reached for comment.
Spaulding said 54 firefighters battled the blaze, which broke out about 5:15 p.m. Monday. Three people, including two firefighters, were sent to nearby Stamford Hospital for observation.
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