Fire On State Street In New London

A three-alarm fire at 130 State Street in New London has left a number of residents and two businesses without a place to call home.  

The fire, which was first reported at about 11 a.m. on Wednesday, began in the roof of the historic brick building that houses Monica's State Street Diner and Zambala Grocery Store. New London Fire Marshall Calvin Darrow said he believes that of the 21 apartments on the upper stories of the building, 17 were occupied, although not all the residents were at home when the fire started.

Shariff Older, who rents an apartment on the top floor of the building, was home with his girlfriend, their baby, and the family dog when the smoke alarm sounded. 

"The alarm went off, we grabbed our stuff, and that was pretty much it," he said, "I could see smoke coming from the back exit. I didn't see any flames. Everyone got out before that."

Jamie Naughtonford was at work at Monica's at the time of the alarm. She said she first raced to the basement to see if the cause was electrical wiring, then they unplugged everything and evacuated the building. 

"We were taking a break when the alarms went off," she said. 

State Street was closed at the intersection of Green Street as additional fire departments from the towns of Groton, Waterford, and Mohegan Tribe responded to the call to relieve New London firefighters who were battling the fire on the roof in midday sun.  

New London Police said they believe no one was injured, but one fire fighter was overcome by heat exhaustion and taken to L&M Hospital for treatment.

Although the road was closed to traffic, it was open to pedestrians, many of whom stopped to watch the smoke billowing from the roof. Darrow said it would be impossible to determine the cause of the blaze until after the fire had been completely extinguished and the roof opened up.

Fire fighters were also working hard to prevent the fire from spreading to the adjoining buildings, which include two additional businesses, Sarge's comic store to the left and Mangetout Organic Cafe to the right. The brick building that caught fire was originally built in 1868. Darrow said that as a result of the fire, the building is condemned.

The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army were both on the scene assisting displaced residents. Bessie Childs, a case worker for the Salvation Army, said anyone affected by the fire can stop by the Salvation Army at 11 Governor Winthrop Boulevard for additional assistance. 

"We can help them with goods to help them get back on their feet," she said. 

Older said his girlfriend and their baby, who had pretty much left their home with only the clothes on their back, would most likely stay with family. Naughtonford knows what they're going through. She said she stayed for several months with family after a fire at her residence left her homeless with three children a few years back. This fire brought all those memories flooding back, she said, but now her main worry is her job at Monica's. 

"I have seven kids and this is my only pay check," she said. 

This was the second fire in New London this week. On Monday, August 20, a house fire on Ocean Avenue displaced two people. Anyone in need of assistance is encouraged to contact the Salvation Army at (860) 443-6409 or the American Red Cross at (860) 447-3248.