Manchester Apartment Complex Fire Leaves One Dead, Dozens Displaced [UPDATE]

An early morning fire at an apartment complex in Manchester has displaced dozens and resulted in one death, NBC Connecticut reports.

The fire broke out at 54 Chesnut Street early Thursday morning around 12:30 a.m., damaging multiple units at the Centennial Apartment complex. The fire spread quickly, according to responding officials.

Firefighters tried to get into a first-floor apartment where a person was inside, but the door was barricaded with furniture. Responders then heard exploding ammunition, and called in the State Police Bomb Squad. They later learned that ammunition stored in a closet inside had gone off in the blaze.

A body was reportedly found in the apartment, although the victim’s name has not been released. The 27-year-old tenant of the apartment reportedly lived alone.

The incident is still under investigation, and the American Red Cross is responding to help residents find shelter whose homes were damaged. Volunteers have been working since early Thursday morning and are operating a shelter at the Manchester Senior Center for people who were displaced by the fire.

Read the full story at NBC Connecticut.

UPDATE:

Officials have identified the victim as Thomas Lafontaine, 26, of unit 54A-18, according to Eyewitness News.

An unidentified neighbor said Lafontaine kept ammunition because he liked to go skeet shooting, and the mattress—one of the items used to barricade the door—had been recently purchased and wasn’t yet placed.

An updated version of the story is available at Eyewitness News.

Photo courtesy of Matt McFarland (@MattMcFarland3) via Twitter.com