The Housatonic Wire Co. fire was probably caused by torches used by contractors to gather scrap material from the vacant factory, according to Seymour Fire Marshal Paul Wetowitz.
But the official cause on the fire marshal’s report will most likely remain “undetermined” because investigators can’t safely get inside the building to complete a thorough investigation of the building, Wetowitz said.
“We can’t get into the building in order to do a very good scene examination because of safety issues on the second floor,” Wetowtiz said. “It’s undetermined at this time, but more than likely it was caused by the contractor who was using an oxy-acetylene torch and removing pipe on the second floor.”
About 100 volunteer firefighters responded to the fire Saturday. Housatonic Wire Co. is on River Street in Seymour, along the banks of the Naugatuck River and Route 8.
Redevelopment Plans In Limbo
Owner Alex Budzinski said the building was slated to be demolished in the next few months, as part of a plan to sell it to a developer who plans to turn the land into a mixed-use apartment and retail project.
Russ Smith of Amity Construction and Design was in talks with Budzinski before the fire to purchase the land and adjoining Seymour Lumber, and build shops and apartments or condos on the property.
It was supposed to be a $20 million project.
It’s still not clear whether those plans will move forward, Budzinski said.
“He didn’t say the deal is off,” Budzinski said. “Today we had a conversation and it’s still positive… The next couple of days it’s still going to be in limbo, but we’re hoping to continue with the plans.”
Read more about those original plans here.
Demolition
Budzinski said the state Department of Environmental Protection examined the site after the fire.
The property is considered a Brownfield — contaminated from factory use over the years.
But the fire doesn’t affect that standing for better or worse, Budzinski said.
“The only difference (as a result of the fire) is that rather than cleaning up the asbestos on the pipes now all of the rubble on the ground will be treated as hot material — contaminated material,” Budzinski said.
“It will all be cleaned up,” Budzinski said. “DEP has been on the scene … They will make sure it’s cleaned up absolutely to a safe condition and in a safe manner, so nobody’s going to be exposed to anything in town from the cleanup.”
Fire Marshal Wetowitz said the demolition will happen soon because the building is a hazard.
