Manchester Man Left Homeless By House Fire

A Manchester man is homeless after a fire at his residence at 81 Lake St. left the house uninhabitable Saturday evening.

Manchester Fire Department personnel responded to the blaze at 5:22 p.m. after they received a call from the home’s occupant about a “crackling sound” in his kitchen that the man quickly discovered was a fire.

The man was able to escape the home safely without injury.

Upon arrival, fire officials battled heavy smoke and flames that engulfed the one and a half floor, single-family home.

Fire officials say they were able to control the fire within 15 minutes, but that winter weather conditions hampered their efforts and made it dangerous for firefighters. 

According to officials, the nearest fire hydrant was almost 2,000 feet away and snow and ice accumulation in the yard made transporting fire equipment difficult.

Two firefighters sustained minor injuries resulting from falls on the ice, according to the Manchester Fire Department. 

The Eighth District, East Hartford and Bolton Fire Departments assisted the Manchester Fire Department during the incident.

Officials say the fire is still under investigation, but preliminary findings indicate that the fire started in the area of the kitchen’s wood stove on the first floor of the home.

The home’s occupant is currently being assisted with temporary housing by the American Red Cross.