Today, the building stands surrounded by yellow tape. Clearly at least the attic and ceiling will have to be rebuilt, but the entire building may have to be reconstructed from the ground up, according to Fire Marshall Bill Kessler, who said that it will be up to the insurance company to decide.
Gary Swanson, owner of the fish market and the building, plans to continue his long-standing enterprise at that spot, according to published reports. Swanson, 42, also owns a catering business in Bridgeport. Reportedly, at least 15 people will be without jobs as a result of the fire in the busy market that provided homemade soups, as well as fresh fish.
The fire was noticed by a Fairfield Police Officer shortly after 4 a.m. as he drove by 2445 Black Rock Turnpike. Heavy smoke and fire were coming from the roof of the building that sits at the corner of Black Rock Turnpike and Brookside Drive. When firefighters arrived, fire raged from the center of a common attic which spans the entire length of the building and heavy, turbulent smoke was also coming out of both ends. Because an adjacent building, Richter Realty's Office Building, 2465 Black Rock Turnpike has wooden dormers, an asphalt roof, and is within 6 feet of the Swanson building, firefighters extended an aerial ladder above the fire to apply a heavy stream of water to that end of the burning building in order to prevent the fire from leaping next door.
After the main body of fire was knocked down, firefighters pulled down ceilings and opened walls to extinguish hidden pockets of fire. Another truck used its air compressor to re-fill air bottles and to establish a "rehab sector" for firefighters. Altogether, six Fairfield Fire Engines and a command car responded to the fire. Chief Richard Felner, Deputy Chief Art Reid, and Fire Marshal Bill Kessler were at the scene. Bridgeport and Westport Fire Departments relocated engine and ladder companies to Fairfield to respond to any other fires that might arise while Fairfield firefighters extinguished the fire.
First Selectman Ken Flatto said, "These three businesses have been wonderful for the community." We very much hope they can recover quickly and completely to serve all their Fairfield area customers. I am very, very appreciative of the super quick efforts from responding firefighters who so capably stopped this blaze from engulfing a nearby building and who prevented any injuries from occuring, Flatto said.
Building Official Jim Gilleran and Health Inspector Jonathan Oldham also came to the scene. UI, SCGC, and Aquarian Water Company were called to secure to secure utilities. The health department declared all food a total loss.
Police closed Black Rock Turnpike from Samp Mortar Road to Fairfield Woods Road until about 7 a.m.. Brookside Drive remained closed for a longer time while Fire Marshall Willliam Kessler conducted an investigation.
It is known that paint, tools and refrigeration equipment were kept in the attic area.
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