UPDATE: Meriden Fire That Displaced 40 Caused By Careless Smoking

A press release from the The Solomon Organization:

An overnight fire at Merritt Station, a Meriden apartment complex, that resulted in no injuries but displaced 40 residents was apparently the result of careless smoking.

Twenty-five apartments were damaged by fire, including 24 in "building 73" that are a total loss and one apartment in "building 72" that has water damage and will be available in two to three weeks.  The Red Cross and the building's management company, the Solomon Organization, are working to house the displaced residents with relatives or in hotels until they can be moved into available vacant units at Merritt Station.

The Solomon Charitable Trust will deliver a box-truck full of emergency supplies and is providing other assistance such as connecting residents with furniture rental companies so they can re-occupy apartments as soon as possible and begin recovering their lifestyles.  While there is no timetable on replacing "building 72," the company expects to rebuild similar apartments on an expedited basis.

"We are relieved that all of the residents and emergency response personal came through this with no injuries, which is the primary concern," said Marshall Rosen, Managing Director of the Solomon Organization.  "The Red Cross and the Meriden Fire and Police Departments were nothing less than spectacular in their handling of the fire and its impacts, and we have a profound appreciation for their dedication and professionalism."