Tag Archives: Connecticut

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

New Haven, CT – Sprinkler system activated for fire at senior apartment building; No injuries reported

Two fires in four days broke out on the 10th floor of the McQueeney Towers public housing complex—the first in an empty office space, the second outdoors on a residential balcony.

No tenants were hurt or displaced as city firefighters quickly put out both blazes.

Both of those fires took place at the 83-unit Charles T. McQueeney Towers Apartments at 358 Orange St. downtown. The public housing authority property is home to low-income seniors and people with disabilities. It also hosts on its groundfloor the headquarters of the Housing Authority of New Haven.

The first fire took place at around 12:20 p.m. on Saturday. The second took place at around 7:58 p.m. on Tuesday. Both occurred on the high-rise’s 10th floor.

Here’s what happened, according to city Fire Chief John Alston.

On Saturday, he said, the fire took place in a non-residential office space on the 10th floor.

The fire was consistent with an overloaded electrical outlet and extension cord, he said. The extension cord was not Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certified.

“It overheated and caused a fire in that area,” Alston said.

Because that 10th-floor office space was empty at the time, Alston said, “the fire burned undetected until it activated the sprinkler system and the alarm system.”

Firefighters contained the blaze, he said, but there was “a lot of water damage” due to the activation of the sprinklers. A lot of the water got into the building’s elevator shaft, he said, leading to the elevator being taken out of service for a few hours.

Thanks to the hard work of an elevator tech and firefighters who “dewatered” and dried the elevator shaft and checked all of the apartments below the fire, the elevator was brought back online within a few hours and no tenants were displaced. (McQueeney Towers has two elevators but, at the time of the fire on Saturday, one elevator was already out of service and awaiting repairs.)

The Tuesday evening fire at McQueeney also took place on the building’s 10th floor, Alston said.

This time, the blaze occurred on a residential apartment’s outdoor balcony.

“A large amount of materials were burned,” he said. “Fortunately, because it was outside, the fire was contained to the outside.”

There was “minor water intrusion” into the unit, he said. Again, no injuries, and no displacements.

This second fire is still under investigation, Alston said. It appears to have taken place in a large, plastic storage container on the outdoor balcony. Firefighters did not find any grill on the balcony, he said.

While the department is not yet sure whether the fire was intentional or accidental, Alston said, the cause appears to be “by human hand.”

Does the fire department think these two 10th-floor fires were related?

“At this time, it’s inconclusive” whether or not they are related, he said.

While the department is confident that the “ignition source” of Saturday’s fire was electrical, he said, the department is still investigating what exactly was the ignition source of Tuesday’s balcony blaze.

How would he describe city firefighter responses to both fires?

“In both instances, tremendous responses,” he said. “Quick response. Quick knock down [of both fires]. I’m very proud.”

Asked for comment on both McQueeney fires, Housing Authority of New Haven Interim Director Shenae Draughn told the Independent: “The fire yesterday was contained to a balcony and was extinguished quickly.  The fire on Saturday activated our sprinkler system that extinguished the fire. Both are under investigation.

“Once the investigation is completed, we’ll implement mitigating procedures. Our team, police and fire did an exceptional job with ensuring resident’s safety and that their subsequent needs were taken care of.”

Apartment Building, Residential

Willimantic, CT – Sprinkler system extinguishes sixth floor apartment fire

Willimantic police have arrested a man accused of running a methamphetamine operation that caused a fire at his apartment Monday morning.

According to police this morning, 23- year- old Ali Alyodawi was arrested Monday and charged with operation of a drug factory, first- degree reckless endangerment and possession of a controlled substance or more than a half ounce of cannabis.

While the arrest was Monday, police did not release information about the arrest until this morning.

Alyodawi is due to appear in Danielson Superior Court Aug. 18 and was issued a $ 10,000 bond, according to local police.

Police said Alyodawi lives on the sixth floor of the 560 on Main apartment building.

Willimantic Police Lt. Matthew Solak said Alyodawi is not expected to receive any more charges at this time.

According to Windham Town Manager Jim Rivers, there are 85 units in the building.

Willimantic Fire Department Chief Marc Scrivener said the department got a call about the fire alarm at the apartment building at 10: 59 a. m. Monday.

He said the fire was extinguished by a sprinkler system.

The scene was turned over to Willimantic Police Monday afternoon, according to Solak.

The incident caused quite a scene, shutting down the road in the area of Main and Jackson streets for many hours.

In addition to police and firefighters, personnel from the human services office responded to the scene, as well as Rivers and Windham Fire Marshal/ Emergency Management Director Mike Licata.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Danbury, CT – Fire at Starbucks contained by fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

Firefighters extinguished a blaze at a Mill Plain café on Friday.

The Danbury Fire Department was called to the Starbucks at 115 Mill Plain Road for the report of fire coming from an outlet.

First responders found a small fire that was being contained by the active sprinkler system, but still required one hose line to be stretched before it could be extinguished.

Smoke made its way into adjacent areas but was quickly ventilated and the fire damage was held to Starbucks. No injuries were reported.

The Health Department was requested to the scene, and the Danbury Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire.

Apartment Building, Residential

New London, CT – Kitchen fire in high-rise apartment put out by sprinkler system

A small kitchen fire in the high-rise at 202 Colman St. on Friday night activated the sprinkler units in the building, flooding some apartments.

City firefighters received the call at 7:36 p.m. for a stove fire in a unit on the second floor. The sprinkler system put out the fire but flooded units on the first and second floors, the fire department said. Responding firefighters evacuated eight apartments, ventilated the building and assisted with water removal.

The resident of the apartment where the fire occurred had to be relocated and was being assisted by Red Cross.

Apartment Building, Residential

Norwalk, CT – Bedroom apartment fire held in check thanks to sprinkler system

Firefighters extinguished a small bedroom fire Thursday morning in an apartment in the Avalon complex on Belden Avenue, according to officials.

Two people, a mother and her 11-year-old child, were evaluated by Norwalk Hospital paramedics at the scene following the 9:15 a.m. fire, but they declined a trip to the hospital.

The fire, which broke out in the master bedroom of the two-bedroom apartment, was largely held in check by the unit’s sprinkler system, but firefighters doused the remaining flames. Additionally, firefighters diverted the sprinkler water out an apartment window to limit damage to the unit.

Residents of the building temporarily were evacuated, but were allowed back in by 10:30 a.m.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by Norwalk Fire Inspectors David Burrows and Dale Roos.

Apartment Building, Residential

Wallingford, CT – Apartment fire controlled by fire sprinklers

More than two dozen people were displaced from their homes after a fire at an apartment complex Tuesday afternoon in Wallingford. The fire occurred at the Parker Place apartment complex at 53 Parker St., according to the Meriden Record-Journal.

The Record-Journal reports several apartments were water damaged when a fire broke out in a fourth-floor apartment, which activated several sprinklers. The sprinklers prevented the fire from spreading beyond the apartment unit where it originated, according to the Record-Journal.

The American Red Cross said Tuesday night that it is helping 14 families — 27 adults — after the fire. One resident suffered a burn injury, according to fire officials.

On arrival, the battalion chief “upgraded to a structure response bring all career and some units from the two volunteer stations as well as Meriden fire for mutual aid,” according to fire officials.

“Multiple sprinkler heads were activated holding the fire in check until companies could make their way in fully extinguish and ventilate building,” officials wrote in a post on Facebook.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Fire Marshal’s Office.

The Red Cross provided assistance to meet the families’ immediate needs. Responders included: Joyce Bullock; Elizabeth Webster; Susan Shaw; Evan Gailey; John Glendon; Patricia Breen.

“The Red Cross is also providing comfort kits containing personal care items such as toothbrushes, deodorant; shaving supplies and other items a resident might need when suddenly displaced from their home by a fire,” officials said in a news release. “In addition, a recovery envelope containing information helpful to families recovering from a fire, including tips on cleanup; notification of important contacts; dealing with damaged items and more was provided.

“Those affected will connect with Red Cross caseworkers in the coming days to work on a longer-term recovery plan. The Red Cross is able to provide assistance through the generosity of our donors and commitment of our volunteers.”

Apartment Building, Residential

Seymour, CT – Apartment kitchen fire controlled thanks to fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

There were no injuries reported after a fire in an apartment building on Maple Street Sunday.

Firefighters received a report of a kitchen fire at about 1:15 p.m. in a first-floor unit at 29 Maple St., the former LoPresti School building, which was sold in 2015 and converted into 42 apartments.

A woman setting up an apartment for her mother to move into left cardboard material next to a stove top, which ignited, said Fire Marshal Timm Willis. The fire triggered the sprinkler system. The fire was an accident, Willis said.

“There were combustible items near the stove, and it appears the stove was accidentally turned on,” Willis said. “The occupant found that, immediately called 911, and shut the door behind them, which is important.”

Closing the door helped contain the fire.

“When we first made entry into the first floor we had a heavy smoke condition. Obviously we also had a heavy smoke condition on the second and third floor very quickly,” said Seymour Fire Department Chief Michael Lombardi.

Firefighters entered the apartment where the reported fire was, found a fire in the kitchen and stretched a hose into the building to put water on the flames.

“Once it got hot enough, it activated the sprinkler system, which helped with fire suppression,” the chief said.

Fire damage was limited to the apartment where the fire started. Two other apartments had water damage from the sprinkler system. The smell of smoke was still very much lingering in the building as firefighters packed up their gear about an hour after arriving on scene.

The residents in the 40 apartments evacuated the building as the fire alarm sounded. One woman was relieved to hear her cat was OK. The animal hid under a bed in all the commotion.

Seymour police also relayed info to firefighters about two people with medical needs in the apartment building. Those two tenants were immediately identified and helped from the building when firefighters arrived.

The two residents were evaluated by Seymour Ambulance EMS.

Members of the Oxford Fire Department were also called to the scene to assist. There were about 35 Seymour firefighters and about 10 Oxford firefighters on scene.

The Red Cross was also contacted in case people needed temporary housing. 

A firefighter was left on scene at about 3 p.m. to serve as “fire watch:” that means the firefighter walked the halls and kept an eye on the property as the sprinkler system was reset.
Willis said the building’s fire alarm and fire-suppression system worked properly.

“The fire department did a tremendous job. They were very aggressive, they went right in, they got those two occupants (with medical needs) out very quickly. It was a good job by all,” Lombardi said.

Office Building, Other Business

Meriden, CT – Sprinkler system contains fire in dust collection system at office building

Hundreds of employees of a business in Meriden were evacuated after a fire on Wednesday.

Firefighters who were driving by the Meriden Enterprise Center on the way to another call around 10:10 a.m. reported what they believed was a furnace malfunction in the basement of the business, fire officials said.

After an investigation, firefighters said they found a working fire in a dust collection system in the basement. The dust collection system spread through the vents of the building.

The fire is under control, however, there was significant smoke, authorities added. A working sprinkler system contained the fire to one room.

Three hundred employees of the business were evacuated, fire officials said.

A nearby church was also evacuated because of the fire.

The Twitter account for Episcopal Church in Connecticut in Meriden says all church staff who were there are safe and evacuated.

No additional information was immediately available.  

Residence Hall/Dormitory, Residential

New Haven, CT – Fire sprinklers extinguish fire in Yale dorm room started by lit candle; No injuries reported

A small fire broke out in a student dorm room in Pauli Murray College Monday afternoon, with subsequent water damage affecting the buttery, the college’s student meeting room, the dining hall loading dock and two student suites. No students, faculty or staff members were injured.

The fire — which began from a lit candle — broke out in Entryway E around 2:50 p.m. Alarms sounded throughout the college as the sprinkler system put out the fire before firefighters entered the building. The water in the suite, which was on the second floor, leaked down into the suite below it and then into the elevator shaft, causing damage in the basement.

Head of College Tina Lu sent out an email to Pauli Murray students approximately two hours later, explaining that nobody was hurt and informing students about the damage. She also emphasized the rule against candles in undergraduate dorm rooms.

“Candles are dangerous,” Lu told the News. “And the takeaway is that the undergraduate regulations, that particular one, is there for a very good reason. We all grew up with candles, but in this communal living environment, they’re dangerous, and they caused a lot of damage.”

Lu did not specifically elaborate on how the fire started, citing that she wanted to protect the privacy of the student. However, she did mention the danger of having a candle lit with the window open on a windy day, as wind can carry the fire.

She said that while she was not on campus when the fire broke out, she returned when the firemen arrived and later did a walkthrough of the college with the fire marshal to survey the damage. Excluding the student’s suite, all of the damage to the college is water-related, and the facilities staff have already begun repairing the college’s property.

“All [the repairs] are taking place right now, but in a building that is this complicated, it’s a bunch of different moving parts,” Lu said. “We are working hard to make sure that it’s as fast as possible.”

Casey Ramsey ’20, who lives in the suite below the room in which the fire started, told the News that he and his suitemate have been temporarily relocated to a different entryway due to water damage. None of their items were damaged, but there is a crack in their ceiling that was leaking water, he explained. Firefighters discovered an inch of water in the walls of the hallway outside their room, according to Ramsey.

Ramsey was in his room at the time of the fire but said he did not think that the alarm was serious. He only left when his friend texted him that the fire was directly above him, he said. After the fire was extinguished, firemen and the fire marshal examined his suite and decided that he should move as a precaution so that adequate repairs could be made.

“It’s not an ideal situation, but it’s not unpleasant,” Ramsey said. “At least we got to stay in Murray, and we got to keep our own rooms and have our own space still, and it’s not too far.”

Shira Minsk ’23 lives in the same hallway as Ramsey, but her suite did not suffer any water damage. However, there was a small leak in the hallway outside her room, which had stopped by Tuesday morning.

Minsk, like Ramsey, was in her room at the time of the fire. She recalls at least two other times this year that the fire alarm has gone off in her entryway, both of which turned out to be false alarms or fire drills. So, when she heard the alarm this time, she said she put in her headphones and continued to study. She added that she only left the building when one of her friends who lives down the hall informed her that there were firefighters coming. Once outside, she saw smoke coming out of a second-floor window and then saw water from the sprinklers.

“I totally think it could have happened to anyone … Lots of people I know in Murray light candles,” Minsk said.

Pauli Murray College is located at 130 Prospect Street.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Norwalk, CT – Fire that started in trash compactor extinguished by sprinkler system

 A trash compactor fire was extinguished in a New Canaan Avenue facility on Saturday, officials said.

Firefighters responded around 4 p.m. to Broad River Homes, an assisted living facility at 108 New Canaan Ave. for a report of a fire in the trash compactor, Assistant Fire Chief Chris King said.

The fire was contained to the trash container and chute thanks to an activated sprinkler head. Fire department personnel completed putting out the flames that remained.

Many residents self-evacuated the building after the fire alarm sounded and were later taken to the second floor community room because of the cold weather.

Residents who couldn’t self-evacuate were checked on by fire personnel to ensure their safety.

Firefighters ventilated the building, and all occupants were able to return to their apartments.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.