Cause determined in condo blaze

NORWALK — Carelessly discarded smoking materials have been determined to be the cause of the condominium complex fire that displaced residents of 54 units Monday night.

“Our investigation is complete,” Norwalk Fire Marshal Broderick Sawyer said Tuesday morning outside 100 Richards Ave. “Right now, this looks like it was accidental and caused by the careless disposal of smoking materials.”

The fire apparently originated on the back deck of a third-floor unit.

Tuesday morning, Mike Kuo waded through inch-high water to rescue possessions from his unit the day after the fire. A Christmas tree decked in shining red ornaments still stood in the living room. Baby gates decorated with cartoon animals stood in the kitchen.

But the water had already caused the paint to begin peeling from the ceiling, and the air smelled of smoke as the fire alarm blared in the background.

“Everything’s wet and ruined,” Kuo said, standing in flipflops in the ice-cold water.

As he grabbed an armful of clothing from his bedroom, he recounted the previous night. He spent the day working, with his mother watching his 1-year-old child. When he came home, he could see the building was on fire.

His mother was napping with the baby and had not yet emerged from the building.

“The flames were pretty fierce, and it was making a popping sound,” he said. Nonetheless, he said he rushed inside to wake his sleeping family. His mother was still wearing pajamas when she came outside.

Kuo’s family was planning to stay with his mother in Stamford until they figured out the next step. Others, including Maria Martinez, were going to be put up in a hotel.

Kuo was not the only one trying to grab a few items from his apartment. The parking lot behind 100 Richards Ave. was largely filled with vehicles as people asked to see their units.

“We’re trying to take out things we can’t replace, like pictures and photographs,” said a woman who asked her name not be used.

Employees of the property management company, Imagineers, escorted residents with flashlights, gently reminding people to grab their medications as they tried to process which items to take and which to leave behind.

Owners of the fourth-floor unit directly above the origin of the fire, Dave and Melissa, who declined to give their last names, stood in the rain and watched as firefighters in a ladder truck hovered over their burned-out home.

“We were at work when this happened, and as I was coming home and saw the smoke, I just knew it was our unit,” she said.

While the loss of their belongings was devastating, it was their missing 30-pound white dog that brought tears to their eyes.

“We haven’t been able to find our dog,” she said. “His crate was right there next to the deck. He was afraid of the alarm and when he got scared he would go into his crate. I hope he got some comfort from being in there and that this was painless for him.”

The couple has owned the unit for about two and a half years, and Dave said he would never again live in a condo.

“It seems perfect, someone takes care of your lawn and all that, but you’re at the mercy of the misdeeds of others,” he said. “I would trade everything to have my dog back.”

Imagineers employee Dan Douglas said firefighters had broken down all locked doors the previous night, looking for people and pets. However, some pets have still not been found.

As residents and firefighters with ice-laden uniforms milled around Monday night, one Richards Avenue neighbor reached out.

Staff from the Bridges by Epoch, an assisted-living facility directly across the street from the complex, invited them in and began firing up the stoves and coffee pots.

“Some residents were at the front door and we had them come in. Some of the firemen were covered in ice and they came in to warm up,” said Bridges wellness director Kim Russo. “Our chef started cooking soup and serving sandwiches, cookies and coffee.”

Executive chef Roberto Pagan and Johnny Morales were at home when the fire broke out, but came in right away to help, Russo said.

Norwalk officials are mounting an effort to help the victims of the fire, which left 54 apartments uninhabitable, and they are inviting community members to pitch in.

“The Norwalk Fire Department and Red Cross will be providing assistance to the residents affected by last night’s condo fire and will work with the property management company,” said Michele DeLuca, deputy director of Norwalk Fire’s Office of Emergency Management.

People can help by making cash or gift card donations to the Norwalk Fire Victims Fund. Donations can be sent to the Norwalk Fire Department — Fire Victim’s Fund, 121 Connecticut Ave., Norwalk CT 06854.

“The best way to help is gift cards or a financial donation,” DeLuca said. “Not only does this meet their needs, but they’ve already lost so much in the fire, that the ability to choose what they need and when they need it, can provide a sense of control and help with their overall recovery.”

“We’re also working with the state to access the Small Business Administration dsaster programs as another resource to help the residents,” DeLuca said. “A recovery center will be set up to assist residents with information and referrals as they recover from this fire.”

Diplaced residents can get help from the Red Cross at 877-287-3327.