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By NOREEN GILLESPIE, Associated Press Writer
HARTFORD, Conn. - A fire tore through part of a Hartford nursing home early Wednesday, killing at least 10 people and injuring 20. Officials said the fire was considered suspicious, and one person was arrested.
The fire broke out at the Greenwood Health Center at about 2:30 a.m., forcing dazed elderly residents out on the street in single-digit temperatures as firefighters tried to save those left behind. Many residents are bedridden or confined to wheelchairs. Others are blind or mentally retarded.
"Upon my arrival, it became apparent that all hands would be needed," said Hartford Fire Chief Charles Teale. "It's not just the fire that kills, it's the smoke."
Teale said 20 people were taken to hospitals, five of them in critical condition. More than 100 people were evacuated, he said. Matt Hennessy, an assistant to Mayor Eddie Perez, said at least 10 people had died.
Arson investigators were on the scene, and Teale said one person had been arrested. He declined to comment on the possible cause of the fire, but said: "We do have substantial leads regarding that matter. We do have someone in custody at this time."
Family members rushed to the fire to see if their loved ones were safe, and confused residents were seen seeking shelter.
State Rep. Minnie Gonzalez said one woman pleaded, "Please take me to my room. I'm cold."
One woman looking for her mother ran up the street sobbing, holding her temples and yelling in broken English.
"Where is the fire, where is the fire?" she cried.
The fire affected only one of the building's three sections. Family members looked through the windows of undamaged sections to try and find loved ones.
Donna Smith saw her father, Charles Harrison, through a window.
"Oh, Lord!" she screamed. "Thank you, Jesus." She bent down to kiss the snow.
Others were still searching. Jolie Marrero was looking for her uncle, 54-year-old Juan Sanchez. "He couldn't even have gotten out if wanted to. He's blind," she said.
The injured were taken to hospitals around the state, and many had respiratory injuries and burns, officials said.
The fire was extinguished a few hours after it started. Streets around the home were blocked off except for emergency vehicles.
Chris Cooper, a spokesman for Gov. John G. Rowland, said the state fire marshal and Department of Public Health (news - web sites) were responding.
"The critical issue now is to make sure of the safety of the other patients," Cooper said.
Nine victims had been identified, but no names were immediately released, Hennessy said.
The first alarm was at 2:35 a.m. and followed by a second alarm five minutes later.
HARTFORD, Conn. - A fire tore through part of a Hartford nursing home early Wednesday, killing at least 10 people and injuring 20. Officials said the fire was considered suspicious, and one person was arrested.
The fire broke out at the Greenwood Health Center at about 2:30 a.m., forcing dazed elderly residents out on the street in single-digit temperatures as firefighters tried to save those left behind. Many residents are bedridden or confined to wheelchairs. Others are blind or mentally retarded.
"Upon my arrival, it became apparent that all hands would be needed," said Hartford Fire Chief Charles Teale. "It's not just the fire that kills, it's the smoke."
Teale said 20 people were taken to hospitals, five of them in critical condition. More than 100 people were evacuated, he said. Matt Hennessy, an assistant to Mayor Eddie Perez, said at least 10 people had died.
Arson investigators were on the scene, and Teale said one person had been arrested. He declined to comment on the possible cause of the fire, but said: "We do have substantial leads regarding that matter. We do have someone in custody at this time."
Family members rushed to the fire to see if their loved ones were safe, and confused residents were seen seeking shelter.
State Rep. Minnie Gonzalez said one woman pleaded, "Please take me to my room. I'm cold."
One woman looking for her mother ran up the street sobbing, holding her temples and yelling in broken English.
"Where is the fire, where is the fire?" she cried.
The fire affected only one of the building's three sections. Family members looked through the windows of undamaged sections to try and find loved ones.
Donna Smith saw her father, Charles Harrison, through a window.
"Oh, Lord!" she screamed. "Thank you, Jesus." She bent down to kiss the snow.
Others were still searching. Jolie Marrero was looking for her uncle, 54-year-old Juan Sanchez. "He couldn't even have gotten out if wanted to. He's blind," she said.
The injured were taken to hospitals around the state, and many had respiratory injuries and burns, officials said.
The fire was extinguished a few hours after it started. Streets around the home were blocked off except for emergency vehicles.
Chris Cooper, a spokesman for Gov. John G. Rowland, said the state fire marshal and Department of Public Health (news - web sites) were responding.
"The critical issue now is to make sure of the safety of the other patients," Cooper said.
Nine victims had been identified, but no names were immediately released, Hennessy said.
The first alarm was at 2:35 a.m. and followed by a second alarm five minutes later.
