DoingItLocal

The WorkPlace, Inc. as well as Senator Carlo Leone and State Representative Tony Hwang help place veterans into green jobs as well as previously incarcerated veterans in these tough economic times.

ASTORIA, Queens (WABC) — There was an explosion inside a building at the US Power Gen plant in Queens.  The explosion happened at around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the power plant, which is located on 20th Avenue in Astoria.  Witnesses say there was a plume of smoke, but no ensuing fire.  Read more……

“I could end the deficit in 5 minutes. You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP all sitting members of congress are ineligible for reelection.”  Read more……

ROCKHAMPTON, Australia – A man from the Royal Australian Air Force suffered life-threatening third-degree burns after a portaloo exploded Monday at an airport Down Under — an incident connected to an ongoing US-led military exercise in the area, The Courier-Mail reported.   Officials believe the man was using the portable toilet (also known as a port-a-potty) at Rockhampton Airport, in the state of Queensland, when he lit a cigarette.   Read more…..

Mary Jane Foster, mayoral candidate for the Democratic Party in Bridgeport laid out her ten point plan for education in the city.

In a need for a leaner post office, four local branches are slated to close, they are:

Bridgeport–Nobel Station and Barnum Station.

Stamford–Glenbrook and West Avenue Stations

New Haven–Trolly Square, Kilby, Baybrook, Westivlle Stations and the Mout Carmel Carrier Annex.

Across Connecticut about 400 post offices, and about  150 small branches are being postmarked for closing.  The Postal Service lost $2.8 billion last year and expect the same this year which is why the cuts are being proposed.

6:25pm the Fairfield Emergency Communication Center received a report from a neighbor of 87 Old Dam Road of “fire showing from the roof,” with 911 call from the residence and another call reporting that neighbors had “been able to knock on the door and remove the family from the residence.” Fairfield Fire Engines 1, 2, 4 and 5, Ladders 1 and 2, and Cars 1, 3 and 5 responded along with Fairfield Police, the Fairfield Building Official and American Medical Response.

Engine 1 was first on the scene and reported smoke coming from the north gable of the two story wood-frame house, directing Ladder 1 to ventilate and Engine 4 to take the hydrant. Upon making entry and accessing the attic through a hatch, the fire was found to be contained to a whole-house attic fan and surrounding insulation material, which was extinguished with a 1 ¾” hoseline. Fire personnel then ventilated the home to clear the smoke and removed the burned fan and insulation from the house.

“Fortunately we were able to quickly extinguish this fire before it became unmanageable due to a vigilant neighbor who alerted the family to evacuate before anyone was hurt and called for the Fire Department,” said Assistant Chief Scott Bisson who served as Incident Commander. Assistant Chief Bisson noted that the cause of the fire had been found to be accidental and originating in the attic fan causing damage to the attic, adding that “homeowners should use caution when using appliances that have not been used for a period of time, or if they are uncertain that the appliance is in good working order.”

Assistant Chief Bisson placed a recall of alarm at 6:41pm, releasing Engine 5 from the scene at that time but holding all other units. Westport and Bridgeport Fire Departments sent units to Fairfield for mutual aid coverage, with Bridgeport apparatus responding to calls while they were covering. After speaking with the occupants Bisson observed that the Old Dam Road residence remained habitable with relatively minor smoke and water damage. Engine 1 was the last Fire Department unit to clear at 7:26pm.

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6:50pm–#Bridgeport #ctfire Fire department on scene of 115 Livingston Place, light smoke showing. Small fire in the doorway and they are going to work on it. UPDATE–Home owner is being uncooperative and being physically restrained. Police requested.

1:13pm–#Southport–Group of teens set up a table in the middle of the road in front of the Southport Art Gallery on Pequot Road.

11:10pm–Major explosion at ConnEd Plant on the east River Astoria NY.  FBI now rolling in to investigate.  DoingItLocal.com’s follower Kevin Kiekel with the breaking news, updates as we get them.

 

8:57pm–#Fairfield–Kids on the the roof of The Pantry Restaurant  1580 Post Road and they are setting off fireworks.  What a great idea!

11:49am-#Bridgeport–Fire department./EMTs on the way to Waldorf and Ellsworth for a man who fell out of a tree.

1:18am–United Illuminating reporting 3,462 without power in Bridgeport. We have reports it is in the north end, that a transformer blew on Madison Ave near the Stop and Shop.

#Bridgeport–Car struck a house a 3235 Madison Ave

12:11–#Bridgeport–EMTs on scene at University of Bridgeport’s gymnasium for a “tramatic injury”. Another ambulance has been dispatched for a lift assist. No other details at this time.

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.

About 700 people from across the country turned out to remember fallen heroes Lt. Steven J. Velasquez and Firefighter Michel Baik who perished battling a blaze one year ago.

4:14pm–#Fairfield—Fairfield Police Dispatch received several 911 calls for a water rescue at Penfield Beach. They quickly dispatched the marine unit, fire department and dive team. Shortly after the call went out police dispatch reported that there was one person in distress and the father has him out of the water. Police continued to get conflicting reports on the number victims. It did turn out to be one boy who went under but was rescued by his father. Firefighters and EMTs checked the boy out and found him to be fine and did not need further medical attention. By 4:25pm the rescue was recalled. For that brief ten minutes a flurry of activity swirled emergency personnel to ensure everyone’s safety. Well done!  UPDATE— We just contacted Sergeant Lussier of the Fairfield Police Department. She tells us that this occurred at the Penfield sandbar, a parent was with his other children when his three year old got swept off their feet (not known if it was a boy or girl), the child was recovered by a near by man on a kayak and the parent grabbed his other children. Witnesses tell us that the two rescuers were Eric Barthel of Windsor Locks and Bryan Cafferelli of Fairfield. Sergeant Lussier confirmed that all the emergency resources we listed were deployed but not needed; and that further medical on the child was not necessary. Bridgeport’s water rescue boat from the Vibes was also deployed but not needed.