Fire Prompts Evacuation At Popular Branford Coffee Shop: FD

BRANFORD, CT — Willoughby's Coffee & Tea had to be evacuated due to a ductwork fire Friday morning, according to the Fire Department.

Firefighters responded to the 550 East Main St. business around 10:56 a.m. after receiving a report of a fire inside.

Arriving firefighters observed smoke coming from the structure. They determined there was an active fire within ductwork which services the industrial coffee roasting equipment, according to the department.

Firefighters evacuated the building and extinguished the fire.

“The incident was quickly brought under control, with the fire confined to the roaster and associated ductwork,” the department said, in an announcement Friday.

No one was injured. The East Shore District Health Department reviewed the scene and approved the reopening of the retail portion of the business.

On Friday, the business indicated it is closed for the day and hopes to reopen on Saturday.

The Guilford Fire Department provided a Rapid Intervention Team, and the East Haven Fire Department covered Branford stations while local firefighters were responding to the fire.