Bank Street in Seymour on Wednesday afternoon.
SEYMOUR — A fire that gutted four stores and took five hours to put out may have been caused by a store employee in an antiques store “accidentally igniting wax while polishing” merchandise.
The information comes from a prepared statement issued Thursday morning by Seymour Fire Marshal Timm Willis.
The fire marshal described the info as preliminary, saying the precise cause remains under investigation.
No major injuries were reported in the blaze, which started around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday in an antiques shop at 4 Bank St.
Willis said about 150 firefighters from six towns battled the fire, which coated downtown Seymour in thick smoke for hours.
The fire marshal’s office is investigating with help from Seymour and state police.
The building is a total loss, Willis said.
Click here for the initial fire story from The Valley Indy.
THE STATEMENT FROM WILLIS IS BELOW:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 21, 2022 Time: 0800 hours
Event: Structure fire at 4 Bank Street (actual address 141 Main Street)
Summary: Fire Destroys Historic Building houses businesses in Seymour
Narrative:
On Wednesday April 20, 2022 at approximately 1416 hours, the Seymour Fire Department was dispatched to 4 Bank Street for the reported structure fire. Crews responded and arrived on scene within minutes. Initial interior attack crews were met with heavy fire conditions and were able to make a push and advance to the seat of the fire. During this time conditions began to deteriorate above them and fire traveled throughout the common cockloft above the businesses. At this point a decision was made to go to a defensive attack (surround and drown).
Assistance was received from our Mutual aid partners with Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Beacon Falls, and Bethany Fire Departments. Seymour EMS with the assistance of VEMS and Ansonia Rescue Medical Assisted. Approximately 150 Firefighters battled the blaze over a five hour period. The building was a total loss. Two firefighters were treated on scene for minor injuries and one tenant was evaluated.
The Fire is under investigation by the Seymour Fire Marshal’s Office with the assistance of the Seymour Police Department, as well as representatives of the CSP Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit. Preliminary findings appear to indicate that this fire was a result of a store employee accidentally igniting wax while polishing some merchandise. The investigation will be ongoing.
Fire Marshal Timothy P. Willis, IAAI-CFI
Town of Seymour
