Author: Stephen Krauchick

6:02pm–#Trumbull CT–A tree branch has taken down all three power lines on Daniel’s Farm Road near Route 25.  UI just notified.  Traffic can be a mess traffic is shutdown at Hedgehog Road.

Four police officers injured while evacuating two houses during a major fire Wednesday all have been discharged from the hospital.

Officers John Carrano, Carlos Pabon, John Topolski and Matthew Goncalves all were treated for smoke inhalation after they arrived at 181 Poplar St.  and worked to evacuate residents from that house and one next door.

“They went above and beyond,”  said police Capt. Robert Gearing, who checked Wednesday night on the officers. The officers were in the area and arrived before the fire department to find the house ablaze. “This is one of the more dangerous situations for a police officer.”

The cause of the blaze, which caused very extensive damage, remains under investigation but police said it is being treated as an arson investigation. The detective bureau and Fire Marshal’s office are collaborating on the investigation.

The fire was a difficult and dangerous one to battle for firefighters. When firefighters arrived, the first and second floors were already fully involved in fire but initial accounts said several children might still be inside. As firefighters began the battle, others conducted a primary and secondary search inside the burning building for possible victims. They found none. The children had already escaped the house. Then additional information was received that a teenager might be in the home. Chief Ivan Fossesigurani ordered a third search. The teen also had escaped.

“It was very difficult conditions. The firefighters took a hell of a physical beating,” Fossesigurani said. “The guys did a great job pushing back the fire from the rear and also protecting the house next door. Heck of a job.”

The American Red Cross was called in to assist displaced residents.

10:16pm—#Bridgeport CT–EMS sending a second unit to Sanford Place for a stabbing.  Two suspects, they stabbed each other……..Three ambulances now, a woman was stabbed in the head, a man  stabbed to the chest.  There is a third victim but we don’t have a status on them.

8:15pm–#Bridgeport CT–Firefighters on scene with two people passed out in the road at Catherine Street and Grand Street.

Video Report–5:50pm–#Bridgeport CT–The fire department responded to a major structure fire at 181 Poplar St. Wednesday evening.

The two-alarm fire caused very heavy damage to the 3,500-square-foot multi-family house.

Firefighters arriving at the scene encountered the first two floors of the front of the house fully involved in fire. Initially, firefighters were told that there could be people trapped in the house and conducted an interior search and rescue effort. The occupants of the house, however, all appear to have fled the house before firefighters arrived.

Firefighters also had to contend with down electrical wires that were energized.

According to police, a passerby noticed the fire and banged on the door and alerted residents. Police who were on the street on an unrelated call ran up the street attempted to enter the house from the rear but were pushed back by smoke. Other officers also alerted residents of the house next door.

Several police officers were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. As of 9 p.m., all but two had been discharged.

No serious injuries were reported from occupants of the house. Officials were still working on determining how many people were displaced. Family members said everyone was accounted for.

Firefighters also did an outstanding job working to prevent the fire from spreading to a neighboring house, on which some siding melted. It did not appear to have more significant damage.

The fire remains under investigation. No cause has been determined and the Fire Marshal’s office is on scene.

10:55pm–#Bridgeport CT—Pursuit starting on Arctic now on the way to Boston Ave.  This is the gold Nissan wanted for a couple of robberies overnight.    Foot pursuit Brooks and Berkshire now.