Car Crash Causes Fire At Trumbull Apartment Building: Police

TRUMBULL, CT — Several apartments were damaged Sunday morning after a car crashed into a building at The Royce of Trumbull and struck its gas lines, causing a fire to break out, according to police.

In a news release, Police Lt. Brian Weir said the structure fire was reported around 8:30 a.m. at the Avalon Gates Road building.

According to Weir, the blaze broke out after a New Britain woman struck the gas lines of the building with her vehicle, causing a fire to ignite and burn a section of the building.

When officers arrived, they found a portion of the building engulfed in flames. Officers were able to evacuate the residents from the first and second floors, but when they advanced to the upper levels there was too much smoke for them to continue, Weir said.

When crews from the Trumbull Center Fire Department arrived, they determined there were no occupants in any involved apartments and extinguished the fire, Weir said.

Witnesses told police they heard a crash and went outside to see what was hit when they smelled gas, then ran back inside to call police and heard a small explosion.

Officers also learned the silver car that struck the building left the area with damage to its front bumper. A short time later, the driver returned to the area and explained she had mistaken the accelerator for the brake pedal, causing her car to drive into the building, Weir said.

Four apartments were affected by the fire, two of which were vacant at the time. Residents of the other two apartments were displaced due to damage, Weir said.

The building was significantly damaged but no injuries were reported, Weir said.

The driver and a passenger fully cooperated with police during their investigation. No charges have been filed, Weir said.