July 2025 – Page 3 – DoingItLocal

Small Fire At Bridgeport Hospital

Report of a fire on a bed from a malfunctioning appliance at Bridgeport Hospital. Firefighters arrived on scene and the fire was quickly put out.

Bridgeport Firefighters Battle Two-Alarm Blaze on Anniversary of Fallen Heroes

On the anniversary of the 2010 loss of Lt. Steven J. Velasquez and Firefighter Michel Baik, Bridgeport firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire in the 600 block of William Street. Initial reports were of heavy fire, with an extension to the structure, and the building was quickly fully involved, with a risk of the deck collapsing. The incident serves as a powerful reminder of the risks first responders face daily, especially on a day marked by remembrance.

51 Seniors Evacuated from Bridgeport’s Eleanor Complex After Power Outage

51 seniors who all reside at the Eleanor Complex at 695 Park Ave. are being evacuated at this hour after an electrical issue caused power to go out in much of the building. The city of Bridgeport worked in partnership with GBT to get an out of service bus to transport the seniors, who will be staying at the Marriott in Trumbull.

Official say electrical experts will be here on a 24/7 basis beginning tomorrow to resolve the issue as soon as possible

Heffer Celebrates Grand Opening in Stratford with Ribbon Cutting

Stratford, CT — The town of Stratford welcomed a flavorful new addition this week with the official ribbon cutting of Heffer, a farm-fresh restaurant now open at 2377 Main Street. The restaurant is the latest venture from co-owners Steve Barone and Dave Morton, who bring a passion for quality food made with local ingredients and scratch-made care. Specializing in hand-ground burgers, southern fried chicken, and fresh, made-to-order sides and sauces, Heffer offers a menu rooted in freshness and comfort with a bold, modern twist.

What sets Heffer apart is not just its commitment to flavor, but the experience. From sourcing farm-fresh ingredients to grinding burgers daily in-house, Barone and Morton are on a mission to deliver quality without the high price tag. “We’re focused on making food that feels good and tastes even better,” said Barone. “We want people to walk in and feel like they’ve found their new favorite spot.”

The ribbon cutting drew a crowd of local supporters, town officials, and food lovers ready to welcome the new restaurant to Stratford’s growing culinary scene. In an unforgettable moment, Mayor Laura Hoydick surprised everyone by officiating a spontaneous wedding ceremony for Steve Barone and his partner Kevin. With cheers and applause surrounding them, the couple exchanged vows and rings in front of their new restaurant, turning the grand opening into a celebration of both business and love.

Heffer is now open and serving up bold flavors, local charm, and plenty of heart. Whether you’re in the mood for crispy fried chicken, a juicy burger, or a welcoming place to enjoy fresh, handmade food, Heffer invites you to stop by and experience it firsthand. To learn more, visit www.gottahaveheffer.com or follow them on social media @gottahaveheffer.

Queens Man Charged in $50K Westport Burglary After DNA Match

Diego Hernandez-Corba, 30, of Queens, NY, was arrested and extradited to Connecticut in connection with a 2023 residential burglary in Westport where over $50,000 in jewelry and designer handbags were stolen. The suspect was linked to the crime through a CODIS DNA match from blood left at the scene, leading to a multi-agency investigation and the issuance of a warrant.

Westport Police took Hernandez-Corba into custody at Lakeview Shock Correctional Facility in New York. He was charged with multiple felony counts including burglary, larceny, and criminal mischief, but was unable to post the $30,000 bond and was arraigned in Stamford Superior Court on July 18, 2025.

22-Year-Old Killed in Early Morning Rollover Crash in Bridgeport

On July 22, 2025, at approximately 5:30 AM, the Bridgeport EmergencyOperation Center received several calls for a single-vehicle rollover collision at the intersection of Chopsey Hill Road and Indian Avenue. The callers reported two occupants were in the vehicle, and the passenger appeared to be seriously injured. Bridgeport Fire Engine One, American Medical Response (AMR), and Bridgeport Police Officers, responded to the scene. Bridgeport Fire and Rescue provided aid to both occupants.

The passenger, a 22-year-old Bridgeport resident sustained serious injuries, and was transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital by AMR. The driver, also a 22-year-old Bridgeport resident, was transported to Bridgeport Hospital by AMR. Bridgeport Police Officers secured the scene. The Bridgeport Serious Crash Investigation Unit, and the Southern Fairfield County Traffic Unit were requested and responded to the location.

After a preliminary investigation, it was determined that the vehicle was traveling west on Chopsey Hill Road, when it lost control, mounted the curb, struck a utility pole, and rolled over at the intersection of Chopsey Hill Road and Indian Avenue. The 22-year-old male passenger succumbed to his injuries at St. Vincent’s Hospital. The 22-year-old male driver sustained minor injuries.

The fatal collision is currently under investigation by the Bridgeport Police Traffic Unit.

Highway Crash!

Report of a crash near Exit 40 North on I-95 in Milford. It appears to be a 2 car crash in the right shoulder. First responders are on their way at this time.

Early Morning Fire

The Bridgeport Fire Department responded to a second-alarm fire in the 200 block of Goddard Avenue around 3:50 a.m., finding heavy flames in an unoccupied structure under construction from a previous fire. The blaze was extinguished in 45 minutes with no reported injuries, and the Fire Marshal’s office is investigating.