A family of three in Waterford and an elderly man in Groton were displaced by house fires early Monday.  

All five of Waterford's fire companies went to a fire at 10 Ellen Ward Road at 4:41 a.m. and first responders remained throughout the morning, according to an emergency dispatcher.

The home was destroyed, displacing a mother and two college-aged boys. A family pet perished in the fire.

The American Red Cross provided assistance to meet the family's immediate needs, according to Sue Rochester-Bolen, senior director of emergency services for the Connecticut/Rhode Island region chapter. Red Cross caseworkers will connect with them in the coming days to work on a long-term recovery plan.

Friends of the family also are assisting, and are accepting donations of clothing and cash or gift cards on their behalf.  

An elderly man was displaced by a fire at the Pequot Village apartments in Groton, according to Rochester-Bolen. The housing complex is managed by the Groton Housing Authority, which could not immediately be reached for comment.

Town Police and firefighters responded to the fire at 74 Village Lane at 2:48 a.m.

Police were first on the scene and removed the occupant of the house to safety, according to Poquonnock Bridge Fire Chief Tim Driscoll. 

The man was taken to the Lawrence + Memorial Hospital for evaluation and will receive Red Cross services when he is discharged, according to Rochester-Bolen.

Occupants of adjoining apartments also were evacuated temporarily and allowed to return.  

The fire was extinguished in about 15 minutes, but caused severe damage to the apartment, which was on the first floor of a two-story building, Driscoll said.

Fire companies from the Naval Submarine Base, City of Groton and Old Mystic assisted along with Groton Ambulance and Lawrence + Memorial paramedics, Driscoll said.

Fire marshals are investigating the cause and origin of both fires.