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Fire Safety

Brush Fire Engulfs, Destroys CT Police SUV Brush Fire Engulfs, Destroys CT Police SUV
Brush Fire Engulfs, Destroys CT Police SUV A Connecticut police cruiser was destroyed when a brush fire leaped onto the vehicle and burned it completely.  A Greenwich police officer was out of the car and responding to a medical call on Wednesday morning when the brush fire crept onto their vehicle, authorities said.  No one was injured.  Related: Brush Fire Destroys Two-Family Home Greenwich Police used the blaze to remind residents to be aware of potential brush fires as Connecticut remains under a red flag warning. Multiple small fires have turned into potentially life-threatening ones in recent weeks because of …
Pyrotechnician Accused Of Having 'Large Cache' Of Commercial Grade Fireworks In CT Basement Pyrotechnician Accused Of Having 'Large Cache' Of Commercial Grade Fireworks In CT Basement
Pyrotechnician Accused Of Having 'Large Cache' Of Commercial Grade Fireworks In CT Basement A Connecticut man was busted with a large trove of commercial grade fireworks in his basement, police said. Hartford County resident Richard Valuk, age 47, of Berlin, turned himself in to Connecticut State Police on an active arrest warrant Friday, Sept. 6. According to police, troopers with the agency’s Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit responded to Valuk’s residence on Friday, Feb. 2, hours after he was hospitalized for an undisclosed medical issue. While at the scene, investigators discovered a “large cache” of illegal, commercial and consumer grade fireworks that were stored in h…
New Update - Fatal CT House Fire: Elementary School Student ID'd As Victim New Update - Fatal CT House Fire: Elementary School Student ID'd As Victim
New Update - Fatal CT House Fire: Elementary School Student ID'd As Victim A student of a Connecticut elementary school has been identified as the victim of a house fire in a quiet neighborhood. Related: Person Found Dead After House Fire Breaks Out In Quiet Middlefield Neighborhood The incident occurred in Middlesex County around 1 a.m., Friday, Sept. 6, on Dwight Drive in Middlefield.  According to Doug Schuch, the superintendent of Regional School District 13, the child, whose name has not yet been released, attended John Lyman Elementary School. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this child in this most difficult time, Schuch w…
Person Found Dead After House Fire Breaks Out In Quiet CT Neighborhood Person Found Dead After House Fire Breaks Out In Quiet CT Neighborhood
Person Found Dead After House Fire Breaks Out In Quiet CT Neighborhood One person was killed, and another escaped, along with a dog, during a fire at a single-family home in a quiet Connecticut neighborhood. New Update - Fatal Middlefield House Fire: Elementary School Student ID'd As Victim The incident occurred in Middlesex County around 1 a.m., Friday, Sept. 6, on Dwight Drive in Middlefield. According to Middlefield Fire Chief Peter Tyc, the first arriving crews encountered heavy fire. The entire front of the home was engulfed in flames, and one person was reported inside the house. Firefighters initiated an aggressive fire attack and search for th…
Beloved CT State Police K-9 Officer Dies At Age 6 Due To Medical Complications Beloved CT State Police K-9 Officer Dies At Age 6 Due To Medical Complications
Beloved CT State Police K-9 Officer Dies At Age 6 Due To Medical Complications The Connecticut State Police are mourning the loss of a beloved K-9 officer. Elmer was assigned to Detective David Collins of the Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit.  K-9 Elmer, who was 6 years old, was laid to rest on Saturday, July 6, due to medical complications. Det. Collins and K-9 Elmer graduated from the Connecticut State Police 212th Accelerant Detection Class in the fall of 2020 and have served for the last three years.  During his career, K-9 Elmer traveled across the state to assist at numerous fire scenes, working alongside our local, state, and federal partners…
Shelton House Damaged In Fire Re-burned Due To Large Amount Of Fireworks Inside Shelton House Damaged In Fire Re-burned Due To Large Amount Of Fireworks Inside
Shelton House Damaged In Fire Re-burned Due To Large Amount Of Fireworks Inside A controlled burn will be held inside a Connecticut residence that was damaged in a fire because of the large amount of fireworks discovered in the garage and basement, police announced.  The Fairfield County residence, located in Shelton at 7 Bruce Dr., was scheduled to be re-burned on Thursday, June 27, according to the Shelton Police Department.  The home was originally damaged in a blaze on Saturday, June 22 around 6:45 p.m., when a fire began inside the residence. After around 40 minutes, the flames were put out, according to the Shelton Fire Department.  After the fire…
School Bus Catches Fire In Bridgeport School Bus Catches Fire In Bridgeport
School Bus Catches Fire In Bridgeport All people aboard a Fairfield County school bus were able to get off safely when the vehicle caught fire. The fire occurred in Bridgeport around 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 4, at Jones Avenue and Oak Street. According to Tiadora Josef, the Bridgeport Fire Department spokeswoman, the first responding units confirmed the bus was engulfed in flames. "Everyone was off the bus when units responded," she said. Josef did not respond with information on whether students were onboard at the time of the fire. Additional crews were requested due to exposure issues.  The fire was declar…
CO Scares Prompts New Canaan Fire To Remind Residents To Turn Off Vehicles In Garage CO Scares Prompts New Canaan Fire To Remind Residents To Turn Off Vehicles In Garage
CO Scares Prompts New Canaan Fire To Remind Residents To Turn Off Vehicles In Garage With two recent calls for carbon monoxide gas incidents at homes, a Fairfield County fire department reminds residents to turn off their vehicles in the garage. The New Canaan Fire Department responded to two carbon monoxide (CO) gas incidents on Sunday,  April 21, caused by cars left running in the garage.  New Canaan Fire Chief Albe Bassett said the CO levels in the house could be dangerous and cause serious health effects. One person was transported to the hospital for evaluation. "Today’s technologies of remote staring and keyless fobs present challenges," Bassett s…
2 Injured In Westport House Fire 2 Injured In Westport House Fire
2 Injured In Westport House Fire Two residents were injured durng a Fairfield County house fire that started in the basement of the residence. The fire occurred in Westport around 9:20 a.m., Wednesday, April 17 on Hunt Club Lane. According to Assistant Chief Brett Kirby of the Westport Fire Department, the wo occupants had already left the home on their own when firefighters arrived on the scene. Kirby said crews found a two story single family home with heavy smoke coming from three sides of the building on multiple floors with evidence of a possible explosion from inside the house.  Reports from the occu…
3 Escape New Canaan House Fire Without Injury 3 Escape New Canaan House Fire Without Injury
3 Escape New Canaan House Fire Without Injury Three people were able to escape a Fairfield County house fire without injury. The fire occurred in New Canaan on White Shade Oak Lane around 11:40 p.m., Monday, April 8. According to Jill Stayman with the New Canaan Fire Department, the fire started at the rear of the two-car garage and extended into the attic area above it. The three occupants in the home were alerted to the fire when the smoke detector was activated. All were able to self-evacuate without injury, Stayman said.  New Canaan firefighters were able to quickly put out the fire and prevent its extension into …
Mass Company Issues Recall On 30K Blankets, Throws Over Burn, Fire Concerns Mass Company Issues Recall On 30K Blankets, Throws Over Burn, Fire Concerns
Mass Company Issues Recall On 30K Blankets, Throws Over Burn, Fire Concerns The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall on nearly 30,000 Berkshire Blanket & Home Company heated throws and blankets over issues with overheating that pose fire or burn risks.   The Ware-based company's blankets were sold under its name and the L.L. Bean brand, where they are sold in stores. The CPSC said in its recall notice that they were also sold at Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Amazon.com, Target.com, Macys.com, and QVC.com.  The company has received nine reports of the blankets and throws burning, melting, or overheating. No injur…
Blaze Breaks Out At Fairfield Fire Department Blaze Breaks Out At Fairfield Fire Department
Blaze Breaks Out At Fairfield Fire Department A group of Fairfield County firefighters received the call all dreaded, a blaze at their own station.  The incident took place in the town of Fairfield around 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2 at Station 1 on Reef Road. The crew received the news from Fairfield Fire Marshal, Asst. Fire Chief Phil Higgins as they were returning from a call that he had been alerted to a fire in the kitchen when the heat detectors activated the the building fire alarm. After discovering the source of the fire, a frying pan burning on the stove, Higgins immediately called 911 and requested assistance. Then, wit…
Ceiling Collapse Closes Section Of Stamford Train Station, 1 Injured Ceiling Collapse Closes Section Of Stamford Train Station, 1 Injured
Ceiling Collapse Closes Section Of Stamford Train Station, 1 Injured A portion of a suspended concrete ceiling over a stairway vestibule at the Stamford Train Station collapsed, sending riders scrambling to get out of the way. The incident took place around 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 31 on the Station Place side of the station (Tracks 4 and 2) and the stairway between the platform and the lower concourse tunnel, said Stamford Deputy Fire Chief John Pritchard.  Stamford firefighters responded to the scene and determined that there was a partial ceiling collapse near an escalator that is currently being replaced by the Connecticut State Department of Transport…
CT Fire Captain Dies Suddenly After 34 Years Of Service: 'Leaves Tremendous Hole' CT Fire Captain Dies Suddenly After 34 Years Of Service: 'Leaves Tremendous Hole'
CT Fire Captain Dies Suddenly After 34 Years Of Service: 'Leaves Tremendous Hole' A community in Tolland County is mourning the loss of a fire captain who spent over 30 years passing on his fire safety knowledge to the next generations.  Captain Dennis Carlson of the Tolland Fire Department died unexpectedly after 34 years of service, the department announced on Sunday, May 14.  Beginning his career as a volunteer before transitioning to a full-time Public Safety Officer, Carlson took on many roles during his time with the department.  This included serving as an emergency responder, an EMT, a rescue dive team scuba diver, and even an educator, as he coul…
Person Burned After Cell Phone Battery Began 'Violently Burning' In CT Person Burned After Cell Phone Battery Began 'Violently Burning' In CT
Person Burned After Cell Phone Battery Began 'Violently Burning' In CT One person was burned after a cell phone battery caught fire, causing a Connecticut apartment building to be evacuated. The incident took place in Hartford County around 9:40 p.m., Tuesday, March 14 at the Carousel Apartment Building in East Windsor. According to the Warehouse Point Fire Department, firefighters responded to an automatic fire alarm at the building. When they arrived on the scene they noticed smoke coming from a first-floor apartment. The building was then evacuated. As crews arrived on the scene it was determined that a cell phone battery had become damaged and began "viol…
Garbage Truck Dumps Flaming Trash: South Windsor Fire Caused By Flammable Item Garbage Truck Dumps Flaming Trash: South Windsor Fire Caused By Flammable Item
Garbage Truck Dumps Flaming Trash: South Windsor Fire Caused By Flammable Item A pile of flaming trash disrupted a quiet residential neighborhood in South Windsor after a flammable item caused a blaze inside a garbage truck.  The incident happened on Wednesday, Feb. 1 around 10:30 a.m. when an All American Waste large garbage truck picked up someone's trash that had a flammable item in it, according to the South Windsor Fire Department.  This caused the trash inside the truck to ignite, which led to the truck dumping all of the garbage in a pile in the quiet neighborhood of Farmsteads Drive and Brook Street.  Firefighters were eventually able to extinguish the fire …
Fairfield County Town Nixes Controversial Affordable Housing Application, Report Says Fairfield County Town Nixes Controversial Affordable Housing Application, Report Says
Fairfield County Town Nixes Controversial Affordable Housing Application, Report Says A town in Fairfield County has rejected an application for a new housing development that would include 31 affordable housing units, the New Canaan Advertiser reported. The news outlet said in a report on Tuesday, Nov. 29, that the New Canaan Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to reject the application for the 102-unit development at 751 Weed St. in New Canaan. The New Canaan Advertiser said the proposed 33,465-square-foot development has been controversial, with some area residents speaking out against it at meetings and signing petitions in recent months.…
Two-Alarm Fire Breaks Out At Building In Fairfield County Two-Alarm Fire Breaks Out At Building In Fairfield County
Two-Alarm Fire Breaks Out At Building In Fairfield County A two-alarm fire broke out overnight at a building in Fairfield County. Responders in Stamford raced to the scene after receiving calls of a structure fire at 37 Manhattan St. at around 6:10 p.m. Saturday, April 30, said Captain Philip Hayes of the Stamford Fire Department. An assignment consisting of three engines, a tower ladder, a rescue, a rapid intervention team and a shift commander was dispatched and arrived within minutes of the initial calls, Hayes said.  The first arriving firefighters reported heavy fire showing from the rear exterior of the vacant two-story commercial…
50 Animals Saved In Fast-Moving Fairfield County Fire As Residents Jump From Second-Floor 50 Animals Saved In Fast-Moving Fairfield County Fire As Residents Jump From Second-Floor
50 Animals Saved In Fast-Moving Fairfield County Fire As Residents Jump From Second-Floor Some 50 dogs and cats were saved during a fast-moving fire in Fairfield County that caused residents to jump from second-floor windows. The fire began in Westport around 11:45 p.m., Wednesday, April 20 in a mixed-occupancy building that housed apartments and an animal boarding facility. Westport Police officers arrived and reported a visible fire coming from the building, said Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Gootman, of the Westport Fire Department. The fire department arrived and found heavy fire on the second floor of the building, Gootman said. Westport firefighters at work.Westport Fire…
Space Heater Ignites Fire, Causing Significant Damage To CT Home Space Heater Ignites Fire, Causing Significant Damage To CT Home
Space Heater Ignites Fire, Causing Significant Damage To CT Home A Connecticut home was significantly damaged after a space heater ignited a fire over the weekend. The Hamden Fire Department in New Haven County reported that firefighters responded to the blaze on Smith Drive at about 2:40 p.m. on Sunday, March 27. Dispatchers had received numerous calls from neighbors about the fire, and responding firefighters saw the blaze from a rear bedroom window. The fire spread from the bedroom to the hallway, officials said. The fire crews quickly extinguished the blaze, and the only occupant of the residence was not home at the time of the fire, officials…
High Gas Prices Leading To Dangerous Fuel Hoarding In Fairfield County, Fire Marshall Says High Gas Prices Leading To Dangerous Fuel Hoarding In Fairfield County, Fire Marshall Says
High Gas Prices Leading To Dangerous Fuel Hoarding In Fairfield County, Fire Marshall Says As the cost of gas soars in Connecticut and across the US, one fire marshal is urging residents not to hoard fuel. In Fairfield County, Westport's Fire Marshal Nate Gibbons is concerned about the hoarding. “When faced with the stunning jump in fuel costs, a few residents have resorted to gasoline hoarding,” Gibbons said. “People are taking any and every container to the pump and filling it up.” Gibbons, who is concerned about the fire risk due to the flammability of gas and diesel, stressed that there are specially-made containers to store gasoline safely. The cans to store small fuel qua…
Latest TikTok Craze Severely Burns CT Child, Fire Officials Say Latest TikTok Craze Severely Burns CT Child, Fire Officials Say
Latest TikTok Craze Severely Burns CT Child, Fire Officials Say Fire officials in Connecticut are warning parents and teens of the latest TikTok challenge after a youth was burned while attempting the social media craze. The New Haven County officials said the incident took place on Tuesday, Dec. 28 in East Haven when a town youth was severely burned. According to East Haven Fire Chief Matt Marcarelli and Fire Marshal Charles Miller, the youth was trying what's called “The Whoosh Bottle Experiment." The experiment involves the use of alcohol and a bottle which is ignited and creates a “whoosh," the chief said.  They learned of the youth's experim…
Shop Heavily Damaged During Fire In Fairfield County Shop Heavily Damaged During Fire In Fairfield County
Shop Heavily Damaged During Fire In Fairfield County A Fairfield County bridal shop was heavily damaged during a fire over the weekend. The fire started around 6 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 16 at the Bridal and Evening Wear Shop located at 246 Post Road East in Westport. According to Assistant Fire Chief Philip Hessberger, the fire was discovered after the Westport Fire Department received a commercial automatic fire alarm. First arriving crews reported in one of the storefronts and a fire was quickly discovered. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire, Hessberger said. An extensive search and overhaul of the building found no addi…
Fire At Fairfield County Home Causes 'Significant' Damage Fire At Fairfield County Home Causes 'Significant' Damage
Fire At Fairfield County Home Causes 'Significant' Damage Multiple fire crews worked to extinguish a large fire that significantly damaged an unoccupied Fairfield County home. Authorities received a report of heavy smoke and a possible large open burn at a home in Stamford at about 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2, according to the Stamford Fire Department. The fire was reported in the area of 579 Erskine Road. Fire officials said Long Ridge Fire Department arrived first and found flames visible from the attic and roof of the residence.  A number of Stamford engine and ladder companies responded from the Long Ridge Fire Department, Stamford Fire …
ID Released For Woman Killed In CT House Fire ID Released For Woman Killed In CT House Fire
ID Released For Woman Killed In CT House Fire A Connecticut woman killed in a single-family home fire has been identified by officials.  The fire, which took place on Elmfield Street home around 10 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23 prompted the evacuation of three residents, and killed one, in West Hartford, according to the West Hartford Fire Department. The person killed, a resident of the home, was identified as Holly Baron, 60, said Deputy Fire Marshal Robert Grimaldi. When West Hartford firefighters responded to the scene they reported heavy fire from the front of the home, the department said. Baron was found during a search …