NewsBreak Original

NAUGATUCK, CT - At approximately 6:10pm on September 25, 2023, the Naugatuck Fire Department was dispatched to the old Lewis Engineering building at 238 Water Street for a building fire. First companies on scene found a vacant 2-story mill building already well involved. A defensive attack was called and no members were sent inside. Mutual aid was called from several towns including Waterbury, Beacon Falls, Middlebury, and Prospect. The structure had been vacant for over 10 years and had been used to manufacture airplane parts.

At approximately 8:35pm on September 17, 2023, the Shelton Fire Department responded to 320 Howe Avenue for a reported crash. First units on scene found one vehicle in the middle of the road with heavy front end damage that had hit and damaged several parked cars. The driver was still in the vehicle and needed medical attention due to being unconscious. The passenger was out of the vehicle and appeared to be unharmed. The driver was removed by Fire and EMS and transported to a local hospital. The cause of the crash is under investigation by Shelton PD.

SHELTON, CT - At approximately 5:00pm on September 8, 2023, the Shelton Fire Department was dispatched to Coram Road at Sunset Drive for the overturned vehicle. First companies on scene found one vehicle on it’s roof and that the driver had self extricated before arrival of PD and FD. The driver was transported by Echo Hose Ambulance to a local hospital and it appeared that no other vehicle was involved in the crash.

LAKE GEORGE, NY - At approximately 2:00am on August 8, 2023, the Lake George Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire on Mill Road behind the Lyn Aire Motel on Route 9. First companies on scene found a 1 story home heavily involved in fire. The homeowner, Tony Kypreos, made it out of the home to safety, but not before desperately trying to rescue his beloved dog Buckaroo. It was reported that a large propane blast forced Kypreos to end his search due to dramatically deteriorating conditions inside of the home and Buckaroo unfortunately did not make it out. Several local fire departments responded mutual aid including North Queensbury, Luzerne-Hadley, Bolton, Warrensburg, Bay Ridge, Queensbury Central, West Glens Falls, Pilot Knob, Chestertown, South Queensbury and Corinth. The fire is under investigation but believed to be accidental at this time. A Gofundme was set up by Kypreos’ nephew to help him build back after losing everything.

NEW HAVEN, CT - At approximately 1:30pm on July 13, 2023, the New Haven Fire Department was dispatched to a building fire behind 92 Chapel Street in the Fairhaven section of the City. A column of smoke could be seen from quite a distance as companies arrived on scene to find heavy smoke showing from a 2-story commercial building. The fire would escalate to a 3rd alarm as temps were hanging around the high 80s with high humidity and a constant wind that hampered firefighting operations. Several firefighters were medically treated on scene with minor heat related issues and one civilian sustained minor burns. Mutual aid from Hamden, East Haven, and West Haven covered city firehouses during the blaze.

DERBY, CT - At approximately 9:00am on June 19, 2023 the Derby Fire Department was dispatched to 57 Maple Avenue for a reported structure fire. First companies on scene found heavy fire in the rear of a 2 1/2 story wood frame. Upon entry, members encountered heavy fire on the 2nd floor as well as the attic. In all, this fire would bring mutual aid from Ansonia, Shelton, Seymour, and Orange. As of now, 2 families have been displaced and there are no reports of injuries or cause.

SHELTON, CT - At approximately 2:15pm on May 18, 2023, the Shelton Fire Department was dispatched to 31 Summerfield Gardens for a reported generator on fire. First in companies reported a working fire going up the side of a 2 story condo complex. The fire quickly extended into the structure via the eves and became difficult to find as it eluded firefighters throughout the interior walls, peaks, and attic. A 2nd alarm was called bringing in mutual aid companies from Derby and Seymour to the scene. Units from Stratford, Nichols and Monroe provided station coverage. No residents were injured in the fire, but the inhabitants of 2 units were displaced due to damage.

BRIDGEPORT, CT - At approximately 10:25am on May 3, 2023, the Bridgeport Fire Department received multiple calls for a fire at 50 Greenhouse Road. First in companies found heavy fire showing from a unit on the 2nd floor of a 3-story condo complex. The fire quickly escalated to a 2nd alarm as fire spread quickly from the second to the third floor and eventually through the roof. Members were evacuated from the structure for a short time before being able to safely return to the interior to conduct overall. The fire is currently under investigation and there were no reported injuries.

DERBY, CT - At 12:00pm on April 18, 2023, the Derby Fire Department was dispatched to 38 New Haven Avenue for a reported structure fire. First units on scene found smoke showing from the 3rd floor of a 3 story occupied wood frame residence. A quick offensive attack had members encounter a bedroom fire on the top floor. All residents and their pets had safely exited the structure as FD arrived. The fire was quickly knocked down and Derby received mutual aid to the scene from Shelton and Ansonia. No report of cause at this time.

STRATFORD, CT - At approximately 6:15pm on April 17, 2023, the Stratford Fire Department was dispatched to 760 Honeyspot Road for a reported building fire. Car 3 arrived on scene reporting heavy fire from the roof of a 1-story commercial building housing a shooting range, and quickly struck a 2nd alarm. Soon after a 3rd alarm was called bringing in companies from Bridgeport, Milford, and Fairfield. The fire occurred in Stratford Guns & Ammo, a gun store and gun range. At this time there are no reported injuries and cause of the fire is still unknown.

OXFORD, CT - Shortly before 11pm on April 12, 2023, the Oxford Fire Department was dispatched to 5 Pine Street for a possible house fire. First arriving companies on scene reported heavy smoke and fire showing from the garage of a 1 1/2 story home. All occupants were reported out of the home on arrival of the fire department. The fire quickly escalated to a 2nd alarm and mutual aid was required to the scene, for tankers, or station coverage by Seymour, Beacon Falls, Monroe, Stevenson, Southbury, and Middlebury. There were no reported injuries, and no word on cause at the time of this writing.

NAUGATUCK, CT - Shortly before 2pm on April 8, 2023, the Naugatuck Fire Department was dispatched to 162 Miller Drive for a house fire. Engine 3 was first on scene reporting heavy smoke and fire showing from a raised ranch. All occupants were reported out of the home on arrival of the fire department. Waterbury and Prospect Fire were dispatched as mutual aid to the scene while Beacon Falls Fire was called in for station coverage. There were no reported injuries, and no word on cause at the time of this writing.

WATERBURY, CT - Just before 10pm on March 15, 2023, the Waterbury Fire Department responded to 61 E. Farm Road for a vacant house fire. First companies on scene found heavy fire showing from the 1st floor of an unoccupied 2 1/2 story wood frame. The fire quickly spread to all 3 floors and the members took a defensive stance attacking the fire from the outside. Eversource was also called to the scene with a line worker due to a fallen power line that landed on top of Waterbury’s new Tower Ladder 2 while firefighters were operating the turntable. Members had to remain in place on the apparatus until the line worker could cut power to the fallen line rendering operations safe for the members on the truck.

SHELTON, CT - At approximately 12:45pm on March 8, 2023, the Shelton Fire Department was dispatched to Route 8 NB in the area of the 14 entrance ramp for a car on fire that was being transported by a flatbed. The fire was quickly knocked down, there were no reported injuries, and the highway was never required to be shut down for operations.

[UPDATE 3/10/23] Approximately 20 people had to be relocated and a full gallery of images has been posted here: <a href="https://www.firegroundimages.com/2023-Incidents/Lantern-Park-Dr-Condo-Fire-Naugatuck-CT-3823">https://www.firegroundimages.com/2023-Incidents/Lantern-Park-Dr-Condo-Fire-Naugatuck-CT-3823</a>/ NAUGUATUCK, CT - At approximately 9:15am on March 8, 2023, the Naugatuck Fire Department was dispatched to 145 Lantern Park Drive for a structure fire. First units on scene found heavy smoke showing from a wing of the Lantern Park Condominiums. The fire which had quite a head start on the members quickly spread throughout the attic of the structure fueled by heavy winds. In all, 4 units were reported to be involved and all occupants (approximately 10) made it to safety with one dog being successfully rescued. Units from Waterbury FD and Beacon Falls FD responded to the scene as mutual aid. It is reported that the Red Cross will be helping to house those in need. No word on cause at the time of this writing. I will update this incident if new info is made available.

SHELTON, CT - At approximately 5:30am on March 1, 2023, the Shelton Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire on Sunrise Circle. First companies on scene found fire showing from the basement of a raised ranch. It was also reported while FD was enroute that all occupants made it safely out of the house. An attack line was quickly stretched into home and the fire was knocked down within 15 minutes. Responding companies included Shelton Fire Companies 3, 5, and 1, Monroe Engine 75, and Echo Hose Ambulance providing EMS standby. Trumbull and Derby units provided coverage for the city. Cause of the fire is under investigation.

[UPDATE 2/17] SEYMOUR, CT - At approximately 10:20pm on February 11, 2023, the Seymour Fire Department was dispatched to 151 Pearl Street for the reported house fire. First companies arriving on scene found heavy fire on the 2nd floor A-side of a large 2 story dwelling. A 2nd alarm was immediately called due to fire conditions and companies from Ansonia and Oxford were dispatched to the scene as well as for station coverage. According to Fire Marshal Tim Willis, 4 occupants and 2 dogs escaped the burning home safely before FD arrival. He also said that the fire is under investigation but appears to be accidental in nature.

UPDATE 2/6/23 - A Go Fund Me has been set up for the Burns Family of 4 that has lost everything in their home. Please help if you can: <a href="https://gofund.me/9f806ca1">https://gofund.me/9f806ca1</a> You can also view this Amazon Wish List: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/registries/custom/2X01G8ZYJEUGH/guest-view">https://www.amazon.com/registries/custom/2X01G8ZYJEUGH/guest-view</a> OXFORD, CT - At approximately 7:44pm on February 3, 2023, the Oxford Fire Department was dispatched to Jensen Farm Road for the reported house fire. First companies arriving on scene found a raging wind driven fire in a large 2 story private dwelling. Members would deal with temps in the single digits, causing frozen hydrants and massive water supply issues, as well as heavy wind that just compounded the night’s difficulties. The fire would escalate to a 2nd alarm which brought multiple mutual aid departments to the scene as well as for station coverage during the incident. Resident’s condition is unknown at the time of this writing, but I believe everybody was out of the structure before FD arrival.

SEYMOUR, CT - At approximately 7:30pm on January 30, 2023, the Seymour Fire Department was dispatched to Pearl and Maple Street for the reported structure fire. A caller reported smoke showing with an audible alarm from a 1-story restaurant with an attached 2 story apartment building. First companies arriving on scene found smoke showing from the structure and called a working fire, bringing in mutual aid to the scene as well as backing up firehouses in the city. Primary searches commenced throughout the building that started pushing even more ‘smoke’ but members could not find any fire. It wasn’t before long that firefighters realized this was a bug fogger, a ‘bug bomb’, and soon put the incident under control.

SEYMOUR, CT - At approximately 8:10pm on January 19, 2023, the Seymour Fire Department was dispatched to Knorr Avenue for a reported house fire. First companies arriving on scene found a 2 story home with heavy smoke showing. All family members along with their dog made it safely out of the home by the time of FD’s arrival. Heavy fire was discovered in the rear of the house extending up all floors into the attic. The fire would go to a 2nd alarm before being put under control. The family's cat and turtles were also found safe during firefighting operations. A GoFundMe has been set up for this family that has lost everything. Please give if you can: <a href="https://gofund.me/72bd5242">https://gofund.me/72bd5242</a>