By John Barry
Norwich Bulletin
NORWICH, Conn. — When Norwich firefighters raced to 9 Grove St. Wednesday afternoon because a fire had been reported, they knew the way because they’d been to the neighborhood before.
About 30 feet away from the back of the house is the foundation of a house that burned down in April 2006 at 11 Grove Place. And the house next door, also about 30 feet away, at 5 Grove St., had a fire in September 2007 that displaced several families living there.
“It’s just like a jinx corner there,” said Grove Street neighbor Kathleen Barboza.
The fires have no connection with each other, apart from breaking out so close to each other. All the buildings have different owners and different causes.
The multifamily buildings do all date from the early 1900s, and by the 1990s they were all considered blighted. The homes at 9 Grove St. and at 5 Grove St. have been renovated. The 2006 fire interrupted renovations at 11 Grove Place.
Grove Place is a short dead-end alleyway that curves behind the house at 9 Grove St.
Wednesday’s fire at 9 Grove St. is being blamed on an electric heater, Norwich Fire Chief and Fire Marshal Kenneth Scandariato said.
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