Conn. Residents Leap From Windows at Apt. Fire

Jan. 15--EAST HARTFORD -- Gateway Estates Complex in East Hartford has had a number of fires over the past few years; the fire this morning left 12 people injured and displaced 38 units. Mike Magnoli is on the scene as the investigation continues.

Investigators Tuesday afternoon examined the sprawling scene of an early-morning fire that swept through an apartment building with such speed, more than a half-dozen people jumped for their lives.

One person was seriously injured when she dropped to the ground, Assistant Fire Chief William Perez said. In all, a dozen people, including three firefighters, were injured.

About 100 were displaced, Fire Chief John Oates said. He could not say if the fire is believed to be connected to recent cases of suspected arson in the same building -- Building 231 of Gateway Estates on Ellington Road.

"It's widespread damage," Oates said. "There are a lot of different pieces to it."

The investigation is "not going to be quick," he said.

Residents of the 40 units were brought on Connecticut Transit buses to the nearby senior center on 30 Remington Road. Anyone who needs a place to sleep Tuesday night will stay at an emergency shelter being set up at East Hartford High School. The American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and local emergency response volunteers are assisting the residents.

Many of those at the shelter Tuesday still were wearing their pajamas. The fire was reported just before 4 a.m.

Arnold Ntiamoah is one of the many who was driven back by the fire's thick smoke.

"There was smoke in my closet," he said. So he went to his front door to see what was going on.

"I opened the door and the whole hallway was filled with smoke," he said. "You couldn't see anything."

Still, he woke his family and took them down the smoky hallway, hoping he was going in the right direction.

He was, and they are safe, staying with neighbors in another Gateway building.

"I was very scared, because I thought maybe the fire was coming," he said. He didn't know where the smoke was coming from.

"I don't know if I'm going to die or what," he said.

Another Gateway resident, Yaw Nana, awoke to yelling.

People were screaming, "Everybody get out! Everybody get out!" he said.

He left the building, "using my hands to feel the walls."

There have been three cases of suspected arson in the apartment building in the last year, police said, and another case in 2009.

The most recent incident at the complex took place just before midnight on Dec. 15. Two fires were reported -- one in a stairwell and one in a laundry room, according to East Hartford police. Both fires were extinguished quickly, and fire alarms alerted residents to evacuate.

Police suspect arson also was the cause of fires there on Oct. 31 and March 26 last year, as well as a fire on Oct. 9, 2009. A reward of up to $2,500 has been offered for information about the case.

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