SEYMOUR – The fire marshal said a fire Sunday morning at a commercial plaza started in an attic light ballast that powered a sign hanging on a window outside the Hot Grill & Pizza.
The electrical fire was ruled accidental, Seymour Fire Marshal Timm Willis said.
The fire badly damaged the pizzeria, which was closed at the time the fire was reported (about 7:40 a.m. Sept. 7). The restaurant at 59 New Haven Road (state Route 67) will be closed for the foreseeable future, along with Seymour Garden, a Chinese restaurant next door that suffered extensive smoke damage.
No injuries were reported.
Willis said the fire in the attic quickly spread to the main interior of the restaurant, which Willis said comprises about 1,000 square feet.
Both businesses have been deemed unsafe for occupancy by the town building inspector, who did not return a call for comment. The Valley Indy was also unable to reach the owner of Hot Grill & Pizza.
Three other businesses in the plaza – Jerry’s Meat Market, Crown Liquors and St. George Barber Shop – did not suffer any damage and are open for business.
Ryan St. George, owner of St. George Barber Shop, located next door to Seymour Garden, said he wishes his neighbors a quick recovery of their livelihoods.
“I hope they are able to get back to business very soon and start making money again so they can take care of their families,” St. George said.
Willis said it took about 15 minutes to extinguish Sunday’s fire. Neighboring fire departments from Beacon Falls and Ansonia provided mutual aid, according to Willis.
The plaza at 59-61 New Haven Road is owned by The Ciampi’s, LLC, of Cheshire. The Valley Indy left a message for the owner but did not hear back.
Dozens of social media posts on a Seymour community Facebook page expressed well wishes for the owners of both businesses, hoping for a quick recovery.