Three-alarm fire forces six families from apartments

A three-alarm fire in an Ellicott City apartment building displaced six families yesterday, according to the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue.

Lt. Sean Kelly, a department spokesman, said the fire began about 12: 30 p.m. on the first floor of the Chatham Garden Apartments in the 3300 block of N. Chatham Road and quickly spread to all three floors.

Kelly said the fire is believed to have started when the flame of a blowtorch that was being used in the building came in contact with insulation.

About 50 firefighters responded to the alarm and brought the fire under control in less than an hour, Kelly said.

There were no injuries.

Pub Date: 3/20/97