CLAYMONT, DELAWARE (12/21/2014) One person died, a man was seriously injured and 38 people were left without their homes early today when fire swept through a building at the Harbor House Apartments off Gov. Printz Boulevard in Claymont.
Investigators are still trying to determine how the fire started, and they estimate damage may exceed $1 million.
The building’s alarm system did activate, said Michael Chionchio, assistant state fire marshal. He said the American Red Cross and the complex’s management are assisting the displaced residents.
The blaze was reported just after 2:30 a.m. in the 200 block of Harbor Drive.
When the first firefighters arrived, flames were shooting through the roof of the apartment building with heavy fire on the third floor, said Sgt. Michael A. McColley of New Castle County paramedics.
He said one person was found inside the building and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 72-year-old occupant was rescued by firefighters using ladders to reach him, McColley said.
The man was treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation and high carbon monoxide levels, then taken by ambulance to Christiana Hospital in Stanton.
McColley said all other occupants escaped safely.
Chionchio said an autopsy on the man who died will be peformed Monday by the state Division of Forensic Science.