A fire at a multi-family home on Proctor Street in Waterbury on Tuesday was sparked by a ruptured gas line.
A contractor replacing gas equipment outside an apartment building at 61 Proctor Street believed gas service had been shut off and began cutting the gas service pipe around 11:30 a.m., according to fire officials.
While cutting, the contractor detected leaking gas and realized the service had not been shut off. The worker tried to stop the leaking gas and ordered other employees and residents out of the building, officials said.
The contractor was unable to stop the leak and moved away from the building as well. Shortly after that, the gas ignited, causing an explosion and fire, according to fire officials.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control at 1:05 p.m. The building was a total loss, fire officials said.
Two families were displaced by the fire. They are being assisted by the Red Cross.
Investigators will try to determine the ignition source that sparked the leaking gas and caused the fire, officials said.
