Brush Fire Encompasses 3-to-4 Acres in Industrial Park

The Naugatuck Fire Department knocked down a brush fire Friday afternoon that encompassed an estimated three-to-four acres in the Naugatuck Industrial Park. Nobody was injured. 

The fire was called in about 4 p.m. and was located in woods behind 33 and 39 Great Hill Road right behind the headquarters of PPI Gas Distribution, Inc., and Stran Technologies. 

"The president of our company smelled something, our warehouse guy came out and there were flames right next to the building next to us (Stran Technologies)," said Jim Zocco, equipment specialist for PPI Gas Distribution. "It just kept spreading."

Workers from both companies used fire extinguishers in attempts to knock down the flames, but they kept spreading due to wind and dry sticks and leaves on the ground, Zocco said. He said both companies called the NFD, who "showed up real quick."

"This whole place would have been engulfed and there are homes behind these woods," he said. "These firefighters work their butts off...they saved our building."

Second Assistant Fire Chief Paul Russell said firefighters used about 3,000 gallons of water and soaked the area to make sure it didn't rekindle. One pumper truck continuously brought more water to refill another parked behind PPI Gas. Each pumper truck holds about 500 gallons of water.   

Russell said he was unsure of the fire's origin. The cause will be investigated by the Naugatuck Fire Marshal's Office.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection labeled Friday's Forest Fire Danger level as High. Read more about how to prevent forest fires here.