MANCHESTER, Conn — Fire marshals have determined the cause of a fire that engulfed a multi-family home in Manchester early Friday morning, leaving 14 people without a place to live. The cause of the fire was determined to be the "improper disposal of smoking material outside the structure."
The home on West Street went up in flames around 4 a.m. Friday, all while those who lived there stood across the street, watching in shock. Roy Barlow said he just barely got out in time.
“I felt the heat; it was pretty immense. I went away from the building even further because the heat was so intense,” Barlow said.
Manchester Fire Chief Daniel French said it’s possible the fire started in a bush outside and then quickly spread to the rest of the house.
“You wind up with an intense need for manpower early on; this was an older structure. It had cedar siding under vinyl,” French said. “It had a lot of fire in the attic and outside and extended into the attic, through the whole building. A lot of people coming in early with access to water made a difference.”
One of the people in the home and a firefighter were taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Barlow was sleeping when he woke up to screaming, telling him to get out because his apartment was on fire.
“Grabbed the fastest shoes I could find and got out – but the fire was just on the other side of the wall where my room is,” Barlow said.
He said he still couldn't believe what happened, saying the past few years haven’t always been easy, but he has learned to manage difficulty.
“Even though I’m only four years sober, I’m wondering what it will be like being in a situation where you are all by yourself at your own devices,” Barlow said.
Barlow tells us his sobriety journey is what’s kept him motivated, and today he is not only grateful to be alive but is thankful for everything that’s happened in his life so far.
“I’m very lucky; I have a lot to live for. God put me in this world for something, and I’m doing very well with my life,” Barlow said. “There is a turnaround in all of this. I feel there will be a positive.”
The Red Cross is helping the fourteen residents find a place to stay while the fire and smoke damage is evaluated. The fire chief said the damage is extensive in spots, but some of the home may be saved.
Firefighters remind residents that Connecticut is in a Red Flag Warning, which is activated in dry conditions.
Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
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