Connecticut Post, Bridgeport
(TNS)
Jun. 27—SHELTON — The state bomb squad conducted what officials called a controlled burn to level a Bruce Drive home Thursday as a safety measure due to a large amount of fireworks stored in the home's garage.
The home was the site of a fire Saturday evening that displaced a family of three and their dog, according to city officials.
Smoke filled the sky and explosions rocked the neighborhood beginning about noon, with the home all but leveled and the flames lessening around 2 p.m. While neighbors were asked to evacuate or shelter in place, many still gathered outside to watch and even shoot video of the scene.
Fire Chief Francis Jones called the situation "very unusual" and possibly the first of its kind in the state. Jones said the fireworks needed to be burned to ensure that neighboring houses would not be damaged.
"The state bomb squad had originally planned to remove the fireworks from the site and destroy them at another location," Jones said. But after examining the amount of fireworks on site, "a decision was made to do this controlled burn to mitigate the hazard."
Emergency Management Director Michael Maglione said firefighters used about 750,000 gallons of water to control the flames and protect the neighboring homes. The demand for water meant residents had brown and dirty water, similar to what happens when officials flush the water mains, Maglione said.
Jones added he had spoken to the owner of the home being burned.
"He feels terrible," Jones said. "He has been so apologetic."
Neighbors who spoke to Hearst Connecticut Media called the homeowner a nice man and someone who took meticulous care of his property.
Meera Mehta, a Richard Boulevard resident, said she came out to "show support" for their neighbor.
"He's a nice person ... we did not know him personally, but we always said hi," she said. "I feel bad about his loss."
Peter Gomis, who was walking his dog with his two daughters, had been working from home when the power went out for the burn.
"We just learned about the fire. We had been on vacation," Gomis said.
Gomis added his concern, outside of potential damage to homes in the neighborhood, is that,with July 4 next week, he wondered how many other people had fireworks in their homes and the potential danger that could pose.
The project began shortly after 10:30 a.m. when officials shut down Bruce Drive and the surrounding streets. Residents were told the shutdown could last until 4 p.m. and that they also would be without power for much of the day. They were advised to leave the area or shelter in place inside their homes.
By 11 a.m. there were concrete barriers in front of the garage and fire trucks were misting the structure with water. Nearby homes had the windows facing the house boarded and taped and window air conditioners covered to mitigate smoke and water entry.
In a press release Thursday, Shelton police said they expected to make an arrest in the case, but offered no other details.
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