Cause Of Fire At Pizza Post In Greenwich Revealed

GREENWICH, CT — A forgotten pot at a popular pizzeria has been identified as the cause of a large fire that heavily damaged the Indian Field Shopping Center in Cos Cob last month. Greenwich Fire Marshal Chris Pratico confirmed a pot left on the stove in the kitchen of Pizza Post has been identified as the cause of the fire.

Pratico said he did not have a timeline for how long it will take for the businesses within the complex, located at 522 East Putnam Avenue, to reopen. The shopping center also houses Gofer Ice Cream and several other businesses and offices.

The fire broke out at the shopping center on Oct. 21. According to Lt. John Slusarz, officer Brian Andronaco noticed smoke in the area around 11 p.m. and was able to trace the source of the smoke to the shopping center. He quickly alerted the fire department, who immediately sent crews to the building.

See also: Greenwich Pizzeria Remains Closed After Fire, Vows To Reopen

• Fire Breaks Out At Popular Greenwich Pizzeria: FD

The fire was located on the first floor but "rapidly spread" to the second floor and through the roof, firefighters said on Facebook. Through hard work, crews were eventually able to bring the fire under control.

No one was inside the building when the fire broke out, and there were no injuries as a result of the blaze.

On Oct. 24, the windows at the shopping center were boarded up and caution tape was strewn around the perimeter of the complex. Signs posted around the building stated it had been declared "dangerous and unsafe for human occupancy."

Pizza Post co-owner Matt Criscuolo told the Greenwich Time it was still unclear when the pizzeria would reopen, but emphasized it would be coming back. He asked supportive customers to be patient as the business makes necessary repairs.

Pizza Post is a decades-old family business, owned and operated by brothers Joe and Matt Criscuolo. According to their website, the pizzeria has been "a labor of love for food, passed down through the family's legacy of serving fine food in an environment that offers a quaint, relaxed setting for you and yours to enjoy any day or night of the week."