'Explosion' at Naugatuck Verizon Store Turned Out to be Malfunctioned Battery

What initially went out as an “explosion” with smoke in the back of the Verizon Wireless store turned out to be an old battery that malfunctioned.

The Naugatuck Fire Department responded to a report of the explosion around 5 p.m. on Monday at Verizon's 1007 New Haven Road store, according to initial reports. But after the department got to the scene the source of the call, a malfunctioned battery, had already put itself out.

There was no damage to the building and no injuries reported. The two workers inside, who reported the incident to authorities, were already outside when the department arrived, said Lt. Michael Chatfield, fire department officer.

The department then removed the battery and the Verizon staff has already informed the store’s maintenance, Chatfield said. The battery appears to have been linked to an old security system, probably left over from when the building used to be one of the Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan locations, Chatfield said.

“For whatever reason, the batter malfunctioned and caused a smell within the building,” Chatfield said.

Traffic was slowed on New Have Road, also known as Route 63, as the department responded and addressed the scene.