NORWICH – An apartment house in the City of Norwich suffered severe damage early today after a fire broke out in the rear of the building and spread to an upstairs and downstairs residence.

Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo said firemen responded around 2:45 a.m. after two Norwich Police officers reported seeing flames and smoke coming from the two-story house at 12 Walnut St.

Along with Norwich, the Oxford and Sherburne Fire Departments also responded. Chawgo said when firemen approached the scene, they encountered smoke filling the length of the street.

The first emergency crews reported flames burning along both floors in the rear of the home. Norwich firemen entered the smoke-filled house searching for victims, Chawgo said, because they had no information regarding the whereabouts of the apartment building’s five occupants.

A Norwich volunteer fireman living next door and another living around the corner immediately rushed over to help, he said.