NORWICH – City of Norwich Firefighters quickly responded to a working structure fire Wednesday morning mere blocks from the department, saving the apartment building from becoming total loss.

According to authorities, a passerby witnessed heavy smoke coming from the building located on the corner of Steers Lane and Natoli Avenue, and alerted county dispatch at approximately 1:30 p.m.

Norwich Firefighters arrived minutes later and confirmed visible fames and heavy smoke from a rear porch and gable end of the structure.

While the fire was quickly knocked down, heavy black smoke from the fire could be seen blocks away.