Cedar Court fire sends two seniors to hospital

NORWALK, Conn. — Norwalk firefighters rescued “many” elderly people Tuesday in the Cedar Court senior housing project, after a first-floor apartment caught fire and the flames quickly spread to the siding of an interior hallway, causing a “heavy smoke condition,” Deputy Chief Steven Shay said.

Firefighters used ladders to assist seven residents out of second floor windows, Shay said. Others were rescued down interior stairways. Two occupants were transported to the hospital. Several pets were also rescued.

Scanner conversation indicated 12 seniors were rescued.

“This was two buildings with 48 apartments, that shared a common interior hallway,” Shay said. One of the buildings is posted as unfit for occupancy.

Cedar Court, located at 92 Cedar St., was built in 1978 and consists of 11 2-story buildings on 2.3 acres, housing 92 elderly apartments. It’s owned by the Norwalk Housing Authority and Vesta Corporation in a “joint venture,” NHA Executive Director Adam Bovilsky said in 2021.

Multiple buildings have the shared interior hallway setup.

The first fire company on scene stretched a line to control the fire while all other companies rescued occupants, Shay said. Norwalk Police helped, banging on doors to alert occupants. EMS was on scene, treating victims. The Red Cross was also there, providing housing.

Fire companies from surrounding towns covered Norwalk’s stations and Stamford firefighters came to the scene, Shay said. The fire’s cause is under investigation.

NancyOnNorwalk reporter Harold F. Cobin contributed to this report.

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