East Side garage damaged by blaze

GENEVIEVE REILLY greilly@ctpost.com
Connpost Article Last Updated: 02/05/2008 12:09:58 AM EST

BRIDGEPORT — A Monday afternoon fire that struck an eight-bay garage on the East Side destroyed several cars in the structure.

Firefighters were dispatched to the 235 Hewitt St. garage about 1 p.m. and the blaze was brought under control in about a half-hour.

Deputy Fire Chief Robert Petrucelli said the fire marshal would investigate the blaze, which appeared to start in one of the middle bays of the garage.

The blaze triggered several explosions when vehicles ignited. Each explosion intensified the flames, said Assistant Fire Chief Bruce Porzelt.

The fire also damaged a second-story structure above that bay.

"That was filled with auto parts and tires," Petrucelli said.

The rear of the structure collapsed and a portion of the second floor fell onto the first, Porzelt said.

The number 235 was spray-painted on the side of the garage. According to information from the assessor's office, 235 Hewitt St. is owned by John Giannattasio and is listed as a storage facility.

There were more garage bays at the rear of the property.

"It looks like a vehicle repair shop," Petrucelli said. "I don't know if it's a licensed or legal repair shop."

According to zoning officials, a garage addition was approved at the site in the 1950s or '60s.

No one was injured in the fire.

Personnel from the Water Pollution Control Authority were summoned to the scene because of fuel leaking into the sewers, Porzelt said.

The last unit left the fire scene at 2:40 p.m.