Naugatuck Building To Be Torn Down After Major Fire: FD

NAUGATUCK, CT — A Water Street building has been ordered to be torn down following a major fire Monday night, the size of which fire officials noted is rarely seen in Naugatuck.

The fire was first reported between Cedar and Church streets in the former Lewis Engineering building Monday around 9:30 p.m., according to fire officials.

In an update posted to Facebook, fire officials said parts of the building continued to smolder Tuesday night and a crew remained on duty overnight in the event of any flareups.

As the Fire Marshal's office investigates the cause of the major blaze, officials said a controlled demolition would continue into Wednesday, with Water Street closed between Cedar and Church streets.

A Naugatuck building official has ordered that the building be torn down due to severe structural damage which could cause additional unexpected collapses, fire officials said. The demolition is being coordinated with the Fire Marshal's office.

No injuries were reported. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection performed air monitoring Monday night and Tuesday morning and did not detect any asbestos or industrial chemicals in the air, fire officials said.

The Naugatuck Valley Health District is also monitoring the situation for two homes in the area, as well as the nearby Spark Little Learners Daycare which was closed Tuesday, according to fire officials.

The Waterbury and Middlebury fire departments provided assistance during the blaze Monday night while Beacon Hose Co #1 and the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department provided station coverage, fire officials said.

"Building fires of this size are rare in Naugatuck," fire officials said on Facebook. "We are grateful to our mutual aid partners who assisted us Monday."