Simsbury Unites To Help Fire-Ravaged Businesses

SIMSBURY, CT — Thankfully, no one was injured in last weekend's devastating fire at a Simsbury commercial building, but local commerce has been dealt a difficult blow.

A total of 11 businesses on Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury were impacted, with the local Simsbury Main Street Partnership now working to help them pick up the pieces.

The Saturday night inferno destroyed the building at 730 Hopmeadow St., though luckily there were no serious injuries. Still, one firefighter is reported to have suffered a minor injury.

Monday, the Simsbury Main Street Partnership, a nonprofit business/tourism organization supporting local commerce, said it is actively looking to assist and find space in town for those displaced.

"Simsbury Main Street Partnership and the Town of Simsbury has been in contact with the property owner and most of the businesses at 730 Hopmeadow Street to help them find immediate spaces for their businesses," wrote the partnership Monday afternoon.

"We want to support those impacted during this difficult time," continued the organization.

"We also want to warn everyone to be cautious about any donation/GoFundMe's unless they come directly from that business. Stay safe, and let's all help each other rebuild."

According to the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Co., the first-arriving units Saturday night "discovered a heavy volume of fire" coming from one of the first-floor units.

In a release issued over the weekend, SVFC Chief Todd M. Meyers said once crews saw the scope of the blaze, mutual aid was called immediately.

"Firefighters initially began to attack the fire from within the building, but were forced to withdraw several times due to heavy fire conditions," Myers wrote. "One minor firefighter injury was reported."

Myers said several mutual aid units were called to the scene, including those from Avon, Canton, Bloomfield (Bloomfield Center Fire Department), Granby (Lost Acres Fire Department); and Farmington (Tunxix Hose Co. 1).

Sunday, the SVFC released dramatic images of the conflagration, showing heavy smoke and flames at the building.

It also reflected on a cold night and a tough battle.

"Yesterday evening, the SVFC was dispatched to a report of a building fire. The first arriving fire officer discovered a heavy volume of fire coming from one of the first-floor occupancies," wrote the SVFC Sunday.

"Firefighters were faced with heavy fire conditions and freezing temperatures while they worked through the morning hours."

Simsbury firefighters also thanked all of the mutual aid partners that assisted that night.

The Simsbury Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the blaze and anyone with information is asked to contact Simsbury Fire Marshal Patrick Tourville at 860-658-1971.

To view photos released by the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Co. of the blaze, click on this link.