MANCHESTER - More than a dozen people are temporarily without homes after two separate fires, one in a Lake Avenue apartment building early Friday morning and the other in a Brickett Road ranch-style home early Thursday evening.

District Chief James Michael said the fire on the second floor of 396 Lake Ave. was reported at 4:03 a.m. and firefighters had it under control 18 minutes later.

Fire crews pulled down ceiling tiles to get at the fire that had been smouldering above for some time, Michael explained, resulting in heavy smoke damage to the apartment and water damage throughout the building. He estimated damage at $30,000.

The American Red Cross Disaster Action Team is assisting the six adults and six children affected and provided emergency aid at the scene. Michael said he expects tenants will be able to return sometime next week after repairs are made and electrical wiring is checked. The building is owned by Moustafa Yousif Omar.

About 6:15 p.m. Thursday, firefighters were sent to 236 Brickett Road for a kitchen fire.

Michael said a grease fire started on the stove and flames spread when the owner tried to move the pan to a kitchen sink. He estimated damage at $20,000 and said the home, owned by Steven C. George, also is uninhabitable.