About 40 apartments were deemed uninhabitable following a structure fire on Sunday at The Ledges Apartments in Groton. (Photo Courtesy Town of Groton Police)
GROTON, CT — Town of Groton Police and fire companies from across the region responded to a structure fire Sunday at The Ledges Apartments, which displaced the residents of more than 40 apartments.
On Sunday, May 31, at approximately 2:53 a.m., the Groton Emergency Dispatch Center received several 911 calls from residents of The Ledges Apartments, 11 Ledgewood Road, Groton, Connecticut, reporting a fully involved structure fire in Building 10.
Groton Police Officers and a Groton Long Point Police Officer responded immediately and confirmed a structure fire in Building 10. The officers assisted residents with safely exiting their apartments.
Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department arrived on the scene and began fighting the fire. They were joined by numerous other fire personnel and apparatus and were able to extinguish the fire, which caused major structural and smoke damage to much of Building 10.
As a result, fire and building officials deemed over 40 apartment units uninhabitable. No residents reported injuries, but two firefighters suffered apparent minor injuries. Displaced residents were brought to the clubhouse of The Ledges Apartments for further assistance with temporary housing.
In addition to the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department; members of the City of Groton Fire Department, Submarine Base Fire Department, Old Mystic Fire Department, Electric Boat Fire Department, Noank Fire Department, Center Groton Fire Department, Waterford Fire Department, Mohegan Tribal Fire Department, New London Fire Department, City of Norwich Fire Department, Montville Fire Department, North Stonington Fire Department, Old Saybrook Fire Department, Ledyard Fire Department, Gales Ferry Fire Department, Pawcatuck Fire Department, and Wequetequock Fire Department provided mutual aid, responding to assist with extinguishing the fire. Groton Ambulance, Mystic River Ambulance, and Lawrence & Memorial Paramedics also arrived on scene to assist as needed.
The American Red Cross also responded to the scene and assisted the displaced residents with securing temporary housing. The Special Signal Fire Association/Providence Canteen Truck responded to assist first responders and displaced apartment residents.
Groton Police Fire Investigators and members of the department’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) responded to the scene to investigate the fire’s origin.
The Poquonnock Bridge Fire Marshal also responded, as did the Connecticut State Police’s Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Groton Police Fire Investigation Unit, Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosion Unit, and the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Marshal.
“Our sympathies go out to all of the tenants who find themselves without a home after this devastating fire,” said Chief L.J. Fusaro Jr. “Luckily, a lightning-fast response by first responders across the region helped to ensure there were no significant injuries. We’d like to thank all of our mutual aid partners, whose cooperation at the scene undoubtedly saved lives on Sunday.”
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Town of Groton Police Department at 860-441-6712.
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