Fire Marshal’s office is investigating East Hartford blaze

PHOTO: The East Hartford Fire Department responded to a house fire on Wood Drive around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, according to Asst. Chief Stephen Alsup. Upon arriving at the residence, the fire department discovered a significant amount of fire at the back of the house, and the flames were working their way into the house, Alsup said. According to Alsup, firefighters deployed hose lines and were able to get water on the bulk of the fire. After quickly knocking down the flames from the outside, they stretched hoses into the home to extinguish the flames that were making their way into the residence. Alsup noted that additional crews searched the house and were able to determine that there was no one inside. According to Alsup, the home is heavily damaged, and one firefighter was evaluated for a minor injury.
WTIC-TV FOX 61 Hartford

Update: People told to avoid street in New Britain more than a day after commercial building fire

VIDEO: Columbus Boulevard in New Britain remained shut down on Thursday, more than a day after a fire damaged a commercial building. The fire damaged the Polar Corporation, a car repair shop, and a furniture store. New Britian mayor Erin Stewart said the road would stay closed until a structural engineer can get out and assess the safety of the building. Stewart said it could be shut down for the next 24 hours. Bricks continued to fall into the road on Thursday morning. Stewart asked people to stay clear of the area. Visually, the building looked like it’s a total loss; however, that will be confirmed by crews within the next day. The commercial building was built in the 1800s. Other than the three businesses in it, many other floors were unoccupied.
WFSB-TV CBS 3 Hartford

Freight Train Crashes In Stamford, Resulting In Fire

PHOTO: A freight train crash in Stamford late Tuesday night resulted in a diesel engine becoming fully engulfed in flames, according to the Stamford Fire Department. The fire was reported just before 11 p.m. near the East Main Street rail overpasses, where firefighters found the engine on fire after the train conductor reported "a large explosion." All rail traffic and power to the overhead lines was halted before firefighters battled the flames, and East Main Street and Myrtle Avenue were temporarily closed. The Stamford Fire Hazardous Materials Team, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and Metro North Fire and Hazmat Teams responded to address any diesel or oil leaks. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has opened an investigation, which has so far discovered that the incident "involved a freight train comprising four diesel engines and numerous freight cars."
Stamford Patch

Crews battle massive fire at car repair shop in New Britain

VIDEO: Firefighters continued on Wednesday morning to put out hot spots from a fire at a commercial building in New Britain. Dispatch confirmed the blaze broke out on the upper floors of 59 High St. on Tuesday night. Mayor Erin Stewart said the building was home to the Polar Corporation machine shop, a car repair shop, and many empty floors. She said the fire was tough to get under control due to the age of the building. People were asked to avoid the area on Wednesday morning. New Britain Fire Chief Raul Ortiz said the building was compromised, and firefighters entered through the sides and roof because they could not get safely into it. “Just a lot of water we’re pouring a lot of water into this building, trying to put the fire out,” Ortiz said.
WFSB-TV CBS 3 Hartford

Manchester firefighters equipped with ’bailout kits’ for last line of survival

"Learning the ropes” is what a half-dozen Manchester firefighters were taking part in behind Firehouse #1 to begin the week. Atop a story-high house prop, the firefighters were taking a refresher course on “bailout kits” – each member of the department is now equipped with one. Asst. Chief Gordon Macmillan said, “It’s definitely a lifeline, the kit sits in a pocket.” The first bailout kits arrived around three years ago after the Manchester Fire Department received a grant for them and, since then, each firefighter has been trained on how to use them. Lt. Ray Marconi, who helped to apply for the grant and now trains his fellow firefighters, said, “It’s a personal escape system in case somebody gets themselves in a precarious situation," and that "we teach them how to use the kit and how to use the hook on the windowsill and then we also teach how to tie off from a remote object and go out a window.”
WTIC-TV FOX 61 Hartford

VIDEO: Truck driver whose flatbed was struck in fiery I-95 crash in Norwalk says he’s grateful to be alive

The driver of the flatbed truck involved in the fiery crash on I-95 said on Monday that he’s grateful to be alive. Bridgeport resident Hazeth Aracena, 35, spoke about the accident that caused I-95 to be shut down last Thursday. Aracena said he works for a trucking company based in West Haven and was heading to Philadelphia to pick up a load when his tractor-trailer was struck by both the tanker truck that fueled the blaze, and the car that police say caused the accident. His attorney, Dennis Bradley, said Aracena rushed to pull the driver of the car to safety. “There was fire everywhere and this guy said I’m going to answer the call and save the life of another human being,” Bradley said. “That’s the type of stuff that you see only in Hollywood movies." "Everything was on fire, my truck, the other two cars," said Aracena.
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