Crews battle overnight fire on East Main Street in Branford, started by transformer explosion

Añadido: 2026-06-01

[00:00:00]Yeah, we've seen crews in and out of the building cleaning up what was left of the damage of an early morning fire Monday. But when they got there, they were met with another dangerous obstacle, down wires.

[00:00:12]These photos taken by the Branford Fire Department show the scene on 223 East Main Street around 12:45 Monday morning.

[00:00:19]Fire officials say people inside an apartment in the building were woken up by a transformer explosion. They say witnesses saw a vehicle drive over the downed wires and continue to drive them, which was causing arcing in the road.

[00:00:33]Officials say a day spa, a vacant commercial space in the apartment were mostly impacted by the fire. Not visible here, but officials say they could see the smoke coming out from the side of the building that extended into the attic space. Doug Battum has lived in the area for more than 60 years. He says he's glad crews responded immediately to stop the fire from spreading. Yeah, Branford Fire Department, Branford's Police Department are the best.

[00:00:59]Electrical crews were on the scene throughout the day restoring the wires along the road. Meanwhile, Battum says his heart goes out to the people impacted by the incident. Before I don't think there was any threat in life. I think it was just a small event and the hardest part the the utility workers are doing now and The fire department is warning people that driving over downed utility wires is dangerous and even deadly. The department says, quote, all downed wires should be treated as energized and individuals should immediately notify 911 and avoid the area. Now, officials say people inside the building were able to get out on their own and the businesses impacted will remain closed for repairs. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. In Branford, Valerie Varone, Fox 61.