Fire Breaks Out Francis J. Clarke Industrial Park

Fire Breaks Out Francis J. Clarke Industrial Park

Bethel firefighters work to contain the blaze at 13 Francis J. Clarke Circle in the industrial park Monday, Dec. 12, 2011.

UPDATE 12/13/11, 9:15 a.m.:The article has been edited to include the reader’s corrections below. As of this posting no official word from the Fire Marshal has been announced–

The second fire in three days had Bethel volunteer firefighters busy Monday. A fire broke out at Francis J. Clarke Industrial Park off of Route 53 in the former location of Gymnastics Revolution Monday afternoon just after 2:00 p.m. Crews from Bethel and Stony Hill Fire Departments fought the blaze, which was reported by a nearby business. It took firefighters just over an hour to extinguish the fire which, according to unofficial reports, began when workers ignited  materials inside the building while working with a blowtorch. The building had been vacant since the heavy snowfall of last winter caused the roof to collapse, forcing Private Studio Fitness, Gymnastics Revolution and The Edge Fitness to relocate their businesses. According to officials, the building was going to be demolished.

First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker was on the scene and said: “The heat from the fire must have been so intense because it actually caused a steel beam to be forced out through one of the windows causing an explosion.” The projectile did not injure anyone but forced police and fire to keep people back away from the building.

No official word from the Town Fire Marshal Tom Galliford has been released. Approximately 8 trucks used thousands of feet of hose to extinguish the flames. West Redding and Dodgingtown Fire Department were also on the scene.

Bethel Buzz will update this article as information is received.

Stony Hill Fire Department Needs Your Help

Stony Hill Fire Department Needs Your Help

Photo Contributed

Editor’s Note: The Stony Hill Volunteer Fire Department needs your help. As of this posting, they are currently ranked #37 in the “Be Fire Smart Fire Safety Pledge,” a grant program that awards $10,000 to local fire departments. Take the “Be Fire Smart Quiz” now by clicking here to help them earn more credits.

The following is information from Liberty Mutual’s “Be Fire Smart” program.

Is Your Local Community Fire Smart?

The following fire departments are currently leading the Fire Safety Pledge program thanks to the support – and fire smarts – of their community members.  Click here to see the list. If your fire department is on the list, keep rallying support.  Use the Facebook share button to tell more friends and neighbors about the program and help earn more credits for your department?

Our leaderboard displays results for the top 50 fire departments in each division in real-time.  Please note: leaderboard totals are unofficial and subject to audit at the conclusion of the program.

Bethel Safety Organizations Partner With Target For “National Night Out”

Bethel Safety Organizations Partners With Target For “National Night Out”

~ By Wendy Mitchell

Bethel police, fire and emergency preparedness organizations partnered with Target for their 28th Annual “National Night Out.” Local families came out Tuesday evening to learn about safety and watch demonstrations from Bethel police and firemen.

Bethel Target Store Manager Ian Yorty said: “I’m excited about the great turnout this year. It’s a great day to host a positive event for the community and we are glad to host the event so the community can recognize the partnership we have with fire and law enforcement in our area.”

The event is part of a national event that began in 1984 as a way to educate the public and raise awareness about crime and drug prevention. According to their website, National Night Out is designed to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
• Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

The Bethel Target event was organized by Assets Program Team Leader Alden Lee who said: “It’s a great way to get the community out so people know the we partner with health and emergency response and so they know we are all here to help.”

Bethel police hed a K9 demonstration with their police dog Asco in the spotlight showing off his excellent obedience skills. Officers demonstrated how the German Shepherd is trained to attack and chase criminals when commanded to.

The Bethel and Stony Hill Fire Departments joined forces to demonstrate how the jaws of life can safe lives. By using three lifesaving tools Bethel firefighters showed how they can take the doors, roof and dashboard off of a car in a matter of minutes to get to an accident victim.

Firefighters also held hands-on demonstrations for children in order to show them how to use a fire extinguisher in case of a fire by pulling out the pin and spraying on a small fire.

Bethel CERT volunteers, registered nurses and volunteers from the health department passed out information and educated the public on safety. They were also recruiting volunteers for the American Red Cross. Click here for more information. 

Children and their parents enjoyed a free barbecue dinner, courtesy of Target, complimentary goodie bags and free face painting from target team members. Kicks 105.5 FM emceed the event and their DJ Maureen Bingham gave away free passes to The Maritime Center in Norwalk. 

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Bethel Target To Hold “National Night Out” Safety Event

For Immediate Release-

Contact:

Joshua Toetenel

Target

203-448-1029

National Association of Town Watch Partners with Target for Sponsorship of the 27^th Annual National Night Out.

Bethel, CT— Target is participating as a sponsor of the 27^th Annual National Night Out (NNO) event on August 2, 2011, marking the seventh year of its partnership with the National Association of Town Watch. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and goes until 8:30 p.m.

Target will offer support to the community by bringing them together with their law enforcement and emergency services.

Bethel Police Department will be there with their K9 unit and SWAT gear. Other local services will also be there along with face painting and free food.

This sponsorship is part of the ongoing support Target provides to local communities throughout the country. Since 1946, Target has given 5% of its income to the communities it serves. Today, that equals more than $3 million to support education, the arts, social services, and volunteerism.

Target also has a proud history of partnership with local law enforcement agencies. Through its Target & BLUE program, Target supports local law enforcement by sharing information, technology and expertise while focusing on safety and security issues that affect guests, team members and communities.

In 2010, more than 36 million people across the nation participated in NNO by attending their neighborhood block party.

“We are committed to being good community partners,” said Joshua Toetenel, SR. Target Protection Special, Target #1528.

“That means getting involved with local organizations and offering our support.”

About the National Association of Town Watch

The National Association of Town Watch (NATW) is a nonprofit, crime prevention organization

that works in cooperation with thousands of crime watch groups and law enforcement agencies throughout the country. Since 1981, NATW has been dedicated to the development, growth and maintenance of organized crime and drug prevention programs nationwide. NATW’s network has grown to include over 6,000 crime, drug and violence prevention organizations. More information on NATW and its mission can be found at http://www.NationalNightOut.org.

About Target

Target Corporation’s retail segment includes large general merchandise and food discount stores and Target.com, a fully integrated online business. In addition, the company operates a credit card segment that offers branded proprietary credit card products. The company currently operates 1,740 Target stores in 49 states. Target Corporation news releases are available at http://www.target.com.