New London — A fire late Tuesday severely damaged a multifamily home at 235 Colman St., displacing five residents.

The fire was first reported at 10:30 p.m. and firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke showing from the second floor of the duplex, New London fire Battalion Chief Jeffrey M. Rheaume said.

The fire, contained to the second floor, was under control in less than 15 minutes but the home sustained heavy fire damage on one side and significant smoke damage on the other. Firefighters additionally cut a hole in the roof to ventilate smoke and to control the spread of the fire.

No one was home at the time of the fire. Fire officials say the Red Cross was notified but residents were able to find places to stay for the night with friends and family. The duplex has addresses listed as 235 Colman St. and 198 Lincoln Ave.  

New London firefighters were joined at the scene by members of the Submarine Base Fire Department FAST team, Groton Ambulance, L&M Hospital paramedics and New London Police Department.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the New London Fire Marshal’s Office.