Burning Car, Downed Transformer, Keep Newtown Emergency Crews Busy

NEWTOWN, CT — Saturday morning got busy for Newtown emergency workers.

Shortly after 1:00 a.m., firefighters from Sandy Hook Volunteer & Rescue, the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the Newtown Police were dispatched to Sandy Hook Center on the report of a car crashing into a utility pole.

First responders found the collision had occurred at the west end of Riverside Road, just in from the four-way intersection, breaking the pole and dropping wires along with the transformer to the ground. The car was overturned, and the man who had been driving it was seen running from the scene, according to fire officials.

Frontier, Eversource and DEEP were all notified. The car was towed from the scene, and firefighters cleared from Riverside at 2:49 a.m. The road will remain closed until the pole can be replaced the wires rehung, according to fire officials.

It wasn't over yet for crews from Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue.

At 7:00 a.m. they were called to the scene of a burning Honda Accord on Interstate 84 West, around a half mile before the Exit 11 off-ramp. The driver was able to free themselves without injuries, but the car was destroyed.

Fire officials report that approximately 500 gallons of water were used in the operation.