CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
An early photo of the fire on Bank Street.
SEYMOUR — A fire gutted four stores on Bank Street in downtown Seymour Wednesday afternoon. The fire marshal is investigating the cause and origin.
Three people suffered minor injuries, according to Seymour Fire Marshal Timm Willis. A merchant was treated for smoke inhalation. A firefighter suffered a minor injury from a fall. Another firefighter had heat exhaustion.
However, all three were treated at the scene. No one was transported to a hospital as of 7 p.m.
The four damaged stores included a barber shop, two antiques shops, and a massage therapy business. A pizzeria in a building next door was also closed.
An image posted to social media by the Seymour Fire Department.
Two nearby apartment buildings were evacuated, temporarily displacing about 13 residents. The Red Cross was on scene talking to tenants. The fire did not damage the apartments, but residents may have to contend with the lingering odor of smoke.
Willis said the fire was reported at 2:16 p.m. at 4 Bank St. The building’s address is also 141 Main St., Willis said.
A view looking up Main Street toward Bank Street and Route 67.
Seymour Fire Chief Michael Lombardi said the first firefighters were on scene within three minutes and were greeted by flames and heavy smoke.
The smoke could be seen up and down Route 8 and, at several times Wednesday afternoon, made it difficult to see and breathe on Seymour’s Main Street.
“Firefighters arrived on scene and encountered a fire in one of the antiques shops,” Willis said. The firefighters entered the building to battle the flames. Crews also went to the roof to cut ventilation holes, but were driven back by intense flames.
A view of Bank Street from where media gathered.
“This fire quickly transitioned to a defensive fire attack, a surround and drown, to soak it from the outside,” the fire marshal said.
At one point, firefighters were pouring 7,000 gallons of water on the fire per minute. There were reports of discolored water in other parts of town due to the heavy flow of water. Eversource cut power to the area so the firefighters could do their job — about 130 people were without power at 4 p.m.
In addition to Seymour fire companies, EMS and firefighters from five other communities were at the scene, for about 100 firefighters in total.
First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis said the building in question previously housed Rogol’s, a downtown Seymour hangout spot that closed in 2010 after some 40 years in business. A Valley Indy Facebook reader said the building previously housed Bashura Shoe Repair, which was owned by George J. Bashura, Sr.
(Left to right) Seymour Police Chief John Bucherati, Fire Marshal Timm Willis, First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis, and Seymour Fire Department Chief Michael Lombardi.
