MANCHESTER, Conn. — One person is dead after a car slammed into a residential building in Manchester, catching fire.
Police said that speed appeared to be the factor in the crash. The car had been driving on Center Street when it reportedly crossed the double yellow lines and crashed into the multi-family home.
The car erupted into flames, also catching the house on fire.
The driver, who died as a result of the crash, was identified as 20-year-old Angel DeArce, of Manchester.
Fire officials say there was "a great deal of fire" when they arrived, forcing them to assume a defensive position, attacking the fire from the outside.
Seven adults and seven children were in the building on Center Street when the fire erupted at about 2:45 a.m. All fourteen were able to get out of the home by the time fire officials arrived.
Fitz Nelson, the property owner said, “Right now, I’m so saddened by this loss. I put a lot of work into this, trying to maintain it, and I’m saddened. The Red Cross is helping the tenants and also the town, and the tenants are very wonderful people.”
It's not the first time the neighborhood had to process a fatal fire.
Terry Lee Jones, 12, died in a fire accidentally started by a family member at 197 Center St. in December 1995. At the time, he was a student at the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford. That home was rebuilt after the fire.
Dennis Smith, 48, was killed in a fire and explosion that leveled the businesses at 191 Center St. in November 1996. At the time he was trying to commit arson at the cake decorating business his daughter owned. The site of the building remains an empty lot.
The incident remains under investigation.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has additional information should contact Ofc. Konrad Rozwadowski at 860-645-5560.
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