Victim Identified In Fatal Avon Apartment Fire: Police: UPDATE

AVON, CT — A 73-year-old elderly woman was found dead inside an Avon apartment following a fire late Wednesday afternoon.

Thursday, the Avon Police Department identified the woman as Mary Jenson, 73.

According to the Avon Volunteer Fire Department, firefighters were dispatched to 48 Avonwood Road at about 3:29 p.m.

As firefighters responded, several 911 calls reported smoke in the building, according to the AVFD.

As a result, mutual aid was requested from the Farmington and University of Connecticut fire departments.

When firefighters arrived, the AVFD said, they found smoke in the building with a smoldering fire in a first-floor apartment, and the remaining fire was extinguished.

While a primary search was being conducted, one victim was located and was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene, firefighters said.

Aiding the AVFD were local police officers, who helped evacuate residents in the building.

Police said the lone fatality was Jenson, who was found in the apartment that caught fire.

Police said a majority of residents were eventually allowed to return to their homes shortly after the fire, but some were displayed for several hours.

According to the APD, the management company is working to find accommodations for those residents.

There were no other injuries reported.

This isn't the first major fire at the apartment complex, which is called "Avon Place."

Last April, 58 units were impacted in a large blaze in another building at the site, with two firefighters suffering minor injuries at the time.

Police said the cause of the fire remains under investigation by the State Police Fire and Explosives Unit and the Avon Fire Marshall’s office.

From April 22, 2024: 'Help Sought For Families Impacted By Large Avon Fire: UPDATE'