Dozens of residents were displaced when fire broke out at a condominium building on Richards Avenue in Norwalk Monday. Officials from the Norwalk Police department said firefighters responded to a large fire at a condominium complex at 100 Richards Avenue around 4:30 p.m.

The 54-unit complex had to be evacuated as firefighters spent hours trying to control the fire. Flames were limited to one section of the building, but water from the sprinkler system and fire fight left all of the units close to uninhabitable.

Everyone who lives in the building got out safely and firefighters were able to rescue several pets, including Heather Smith’s dogs Annie and Mabel.  “I feel a little sick to my stomach. Right now I’m just glad to have these guys,” Smith said.

Firefighters from Norwalk, Rowayton and Darien all responded. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.  The Norwalk Fire Department and Red Cross are assisting the victims and looking for donations. Gift cards or checks can be mailed or dropped off to the Norwalk Fire Department C/O Deputy Emergency Management Director Michele Deluca at 121 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk CT 06854.