WALLINGFORD, Conn. — An early morning fire at an apartment building in Wallingford has displaced nearly 80 elderly residents.

Firefighters said the blaze at the Silver Pond Apartments on Center Street began shortly before 5 a.m. Saturday and forced the evacuation of the entire building.

Officials said the person who lived in the apartment where the fire started was brought to a hospital. The resident’s name and condition haven’t been released.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Many residents of the building were taken to Wallingford’s senior center. Fire officials said about half the building’s residents won’t be allowed back in their homes Saturday night.