A massive five-alarm fire at a Bridgeport, Connecticut, factory triggered 400 evacuations on Thursday night, and United Illuminating had to cut power to nearly 1,500 homes after recycled perfume bottles exploded in the blaze.
Most of the fire is now out at the factory at 2102 Seaview Ave., which houses a perfume recycling plant and the J. Waters Roofing Company, but two businesses were destroyed and the intense heat melted siding of several homes.
Officials show air tests indicate there is no immediate public health threat to the community.
Firefighters expect to remain at the scene all day.
Environmental tests continue and fishing will not be allowed from Norwalk to Milford because of red foam in Bridgeport Harbor. The Coast Guard will fly a helicopter over the harbor and along the shoreline this morning to check on where it has spread.
The State and U.S. Coast Guard are also testing water samples from the Pequonnock River as well as Bridgeport Harbor because of water run-off from the fire.
Footage from the scene on Thursday night showed thick, black smoke spewing into the air.
Bridgeport Public Safety spokesman Bill Kaempffer described the fire as a “major industrial blaze,” which burned throughout the night and was extinguished as of early Friday morning. He said barrels of recycled perfume bottles ignited, sending fireballs into the sky.
More than 55,000 gallons of chemicals were in the warehouse when the fire started.
Two firefighters were sent to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries, but no one was seriously hurt, officials said. The Red Cross provided first responders with food and water.
Around 400 residents who live in the area were evacuated to St. Ambrose Church on Boston Avenue, according to Red Cross spokesman Paul Shipman. People who live in the evacuation area will eventually be able to return home, officials said.
Police asked residents who live downwind of the fire to keep their doors and windows closed. Anyone with respiratory issues should stay indoors because of the smoke, officials warn.
Firefighters from surrounding towns provided mutual aid. Kaempffer said the fire was first reported at 6:45 p.m. and that two buildings were up in flames.
Firefighters Fight 5-Alarm Blaze in Boston
An entire neighborhood was without power in the area. More than 1,440 homes in Bridgeport were affected, according to United Illuminating. As of Friday morning, the number of power outages in Bridgeport is down to 130.
Authorities are investigating to determine the cause of the blaze, but have not yet been allowed inside because of building collapses