Overnight Monday, Fire Department Handles Main Street Business Fire, With Live Arching Downed Wires,

BRANFORD, CT—In the pre-dawn hours Monday, the Branford Fire Department responded to 10 emergency calls.

One of those was a call for downed wires. Firefighters encountered primary electrical wires down and actively arcing in the road, the department posted to Facebook. But it was the smoke and fire visible from the side of a building extending into the attic space that upgraded the call to a structure fire, according to the fire department.

It was 12:45 a.m., when firefighters responded to the 223 East Main St., building that houses several occupancies, including Baby Bones Barbershop, a day spa business, a vacant commercial space, and a residential occupancy, fire officials said.

The people inside self-evacuated after reportedly being awakened by a transformer explosion, firefighters said.

"Witnesses stated they observed an unknown vehicle drive over the downed electrical wires and continue dragging them down the roadway, causing significant arcing before leaving the scene," according to a department news release.

"Video footage obtained by investigators confirmed the account," they said.

The fire department noted on Facebook that "driving over or near downed utility wires is extremely dangerous and potentially deadly."

"All downed wires should be treated as energized, and individuals should immediately notify 911 and avoid the area," they said.

Fighting the fire

Fire crews forced entry into the bulding and "conducted an aggressive interior attack, successfully extinguishing the attic fire from below while protecting the adjoining barber shop and residential occupancies from significant damage."

The other businesses and vacant commercial space sustained significant fire, smoke, and water damage and will remain closed pending repairs, fire officials said.

The barber shop and residential occupancy remained occupied, officials noted.

The responding fire units included Engines 1, M.P. Rice Hose Co 2, and 9, Truck 1, Medic 1, and Cars 1, 6, and 9.

The Stony Creek Rescue Fire Company 5 responded to provide station coverage and also handled an additional emergency incident during the operation. The Guilford Fire Department responded to the scene as the Rapid Intervention Team.

No injuries were reported, fire officials said, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.