Smoke At Ed’s Cleaners Prompts Seymour FD Response

The fire department was sent to Ed’s Cleaners on Bank Street Friday after a boiler malfunctioned.

At about 1:30 p.m. the cleaners’ owner Elaine Bariluk noticed smoke coming from the basement. She called 911. 

Firefighters closed Bank Street (Route 67) at Martha Street while they cleared the building of smoke and investigated the cause. The road was reopened by about 2:30 p.m.

Seymour Fire Marshal Paul Wetowitz said the smoke was caused by the boiler.

Based on what I’ve seen, there was a malfunction inside the boiler itself,” Wetowitz said. There was no exterior fire.”

Bariluk said the shop had received regular maintenance to its boiler Friday morning.

After seeing the smoke coming from the basement, Bariluk turned the boiler off using an emergency switch in the main level of the shop. 

I tried to go downstairs but there was too much smoke,” Bariluk said. 

Firefighters did not have to apply any water to the equipment downstairs, according to Assistant Fire Chief Steve Childs. He said the problem was solved by turning off the boiler.

Ed’s Cleaners is across from the Board of Education offices.

PHOTO: Jodie MozdzerBariluk’s manager and partner David Peck said nothing in the building was damaged and the business wouldn’t be affected. 

We had a little smoke in the boiler,” Peck said.

Wetowitz happened to be the only customer at the shop at the time. 

Wetowitz said he was dropping off pants at Ed’s, when he saw the smoke coming from the basement wall and a basement vent. 

Wetowitz said he went inside and told Bariluk to call 911. 

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