Month: July 2011

One firefighter was treated for heat disorder after battling this blaze at 251-257 Park Street. The house was foreclosed and abandoned. Less than an hour prior Bridgeport Firefighters and us were at another foreclosed abandoned home fire at 216-218 Brooks Street not even 1/4 mile away. Special thanks to Garth Trotto with this story.

Eastbound trains are delayed 45 minutes and westbound service is suspended as the heat takes its toll on Metro-North.
“There are numerous weather-related problems,” Spokesman Marjorie Anders said in a press release. “At least three trains have become ensnared in drooping overheard catenary wire due to this afternoon’s extraordinary heat.”
Temperatures were above 100 as it neared 5 p.m.
Around 4:30 p.m., the 3:27 p.m. train out of New Haven, due at Grand Central terminal at 5:15 p.m. became disabled west of the Stratford station due to damage to the pantograph, the mechanical arm on top of trains that draws power from the overhead wires. An empty train was being sent alongside the disabled one to transport those passengers.
The 1:34 p.m. out of Grand Central, due in New Haven at 3:18 p.m., became disabled between the Westport and Green’s Farms stations. The power was turned off to the overhead wires so the crew could climb up and isolate the disabled pantograph. While this was under way, there is no air conditioning on the train.
Three people complained of heat prostration and were being treated by medical personnel at Green’s Farms, where the trains was met by EMS, Anders said.
Numerous fire and EMS units were responding to the scene, ferrying water for passengers.
Anders said none of the medical conditions were serious.
The train was expected to move and arrive in New Haven around 90 minutes late.
The 12:07 p.m. train from Grand Central, due in New Haven at 1:52 p.m. became disabled between Stratford and Bridgeport also with a pantograph problem.
Several sections of track are out of service continually for construction work, including installation of new catenary wire. This reduces operating flexibility and contributes to the delays, Anders said.

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12:27am–Fairfield– Cleaning lady shows up to clean the office building at 69 Sherman Street to find the basement filled with water.  Sounds like dentist Dr. Demartin will be a little down mouth tomorrow, Googlemaps says that is his office.

11:22pm–#Bridgeport–Fire department is on scene at 25 Durango Place for high carbon monoxide levels in the house.  All residents were out of the house when they arrived.  Firefighters received levels of 90ppm (parts per million) in the kitchen, 110 in the basement and 100 in the bedroom.  There are no pilot lights out and the continue investigating with air packs on.

Is there a fire bug in Bridgeport’s East Side?
1:49am–Bridgeport-Fire fighters are on the scene of an abandoned factory at 89 Hastings Street.  The receiving bay is showing heavy fire as well as the roof area.  This site has had numerous fires in the past.  Fire department has already requested an arson team to the scene.  2:05amUPDATE–Additional ladder truck called to the scene.  2:17amUPDATE–Fire department reports bulk of the fire knocked down, looking for additional extensions in the building.  This is Bridgeport’s  third suspicious fire on the  east side in two days.  Earlier Friday firefighters fought a blaze at a foreclosed abandoned home on Arctic Street and again at an abandoned home on Shelton Street.  2:47am UPDATE–Alarm of fire recalled at Hastings Street.

6:56pm–#Fairfield–EMTs on the way to Flip Side Burger 1125 Post Road for a man passed out.

1:48pm–#Bridgeport–Car strikes 28 year old man in wheelchair crossing the street at Main and Hillhouse Avenue.  Victim is being stabilized by the fire department awaiting EMTs arrival.  UPDATE–  Happy to report the victim in the wheelchair is fine, EMTs  treated him, he refused to go to the hospital said he would take himself.   Hero EMTs rewired his wheelchair and got him on his way.   Sounds as if he hit the car, minor damage to both.  His age has now been updated to 46.

 3:17pm– #vibes #dehydratedhippie — Another call for a dehydrated hippie, this time by the arches at the entrances. Please don’t forget to water your hippie!  Third call in one hour.  4th at 3:55pm now.

 Norwalk–Johnson arrested for exposing himself/masturbating in front of Norwalk DCF.  Sometimes the headlines write themselves….Read more….

BRIDGEPORT — Police said a young man was pumping gas at Massey gas station on Hollister Avenue Thursday night when a man approached and shot him dead.  Read more…..

Shortly after 9:30 Thursday night Fairfield Police discovered a number of cars with broken windows at the Dogwood Green Condos on Fairfield Woods Road, near Stratfield Road. An investigation lead to a foot pursuit and police chased the suspect for about a block, tackling and handcuffing him at the doorstep of the Mobil Gas Station at 1271 Stratfield Road. This area has been plagued with a number of car break ins in recent weeks. Police have just begun their investigation and do not know if the suspect is solely responsible. Residents town wide have been warned not to leave valuables in plain site, especially electronics and GPS devices.

A report from a citizen and quick action from fire fighters contained the fire to the basement area of an abandoned factory on Railroad Avenue near Hancock Avenue.

Mayor Bill Finch and Police Chief Joseph Gaudett will discuss the City’s public safety initiatives, and kickoff of the return of “Take Back the Neighborhood” walks promoting community engagement, during a press conference
“Our ‘Take Back the Neighborhood’ walks have proven to be a successful approach to building better relationships between our residents and police officers,” said Mayor Finch. “It is but one way that the Bridgeport police department has made community engagement and involvement a priority in order to help reduce crime.”

The first of several “Take Back the Neighborhood” walks is scheduled for Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. in the Hollow neighborhood of the City. Participants should meet at the corner of Highland and Washington Avenues.

Take Back The Streets in Bridgeport from DoingItLocal.com on Vimeo.

The grand opening of the Westport Shake Shack at 1849 Post Road East in Westport. The chain also have outlets in New York City, as well as restaurants in Washington, D.C., Miami, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait City, Kuwait.

Open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

 

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) – The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) will have to shut down 18 residential sites, 10 respite centers and lay off hundreds of workers as part of the Malloy’s budget following the failed concession deal with the unions……The state agency has been providing services for people with disabilities since 1917. But with sweeping cuts from the state capital, DDS’s workforce is being reduced by more than 670 employees. Read more….

Budget cuts hit DDS hard: wtnh.com

Robert Bellitto Jr. wins GOP caucus for First Selectman.
Totals: Bellitto-493 Becker-376 Dolan-68