9 Dead, 1 Missing in Tenement Fire

An early morning fire swept through a three-story tenement building Saturday, killing at least nine people, authorities said.

The victims were believed to be members of two families who lived in the wood-and-brick building near the city’s downtown.

Another person, possibly a visitor, remained unaccounted for late Saturday. Firefighters suspended the search Saturday night and planned to return to the scene today.

All of the confirmed dead lived on the second and third floors of the building, Fire Chief Thomas Keough said. Eight other people escaped.

Firefighters were called to the building at 2:45 a.m., and when they arrived, flames were shooting from the windows and roof.

Keough would not speculate on the cause of the fire.

Several firefighters received minor injuries and were treated at New Britain General Hospital and released.