UPDATE: Glastonbury Residents Can Return Home

Updated: 6:40 p.m.:

Here is the latest update from the Town of Glastonbury regarding the factory fire from Wednesday:

The Riverfront Community Center is no longer operating as a shelter, therefore residents may return to their homes and are reminded to limit their outdoor exposure and shutoff air-intake systems. Residents living in the areas affected by the fire at Preferred Displays are advised to take certain precautions as DEEP and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) complete air quality testing.

Residents with pets who can see debris from the fire on their property may want to wipe their pets’ feet before allowing them back into their homes. As a reminder, the Health Department advises against touching or coming into contact with any debris. Should you see any, please call the Health staff at (860) 652-7534 and provide your name, address, and phone. Business Hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00am until 4:30pm. Once DEEP and EPA have conclusive results, the Health Department will advise citizens on how to dispose of debris in a safe manner.

Glastonbury will continue to provide updates and information as available through the town website, Facebook page and local media sources. “Like” us on Facebook for real-time news and updates.

Oriignal story: 3:35 p.m.

Glastonbury authorities are continuing to take action in response to the devastating fire at Preferred Display Inc., a manufacturing factory near Eastbury Pond in the Roaring Brook Plaza.

The fire, which began late Wednesday morning on Nov. 11, forced more than 100 employees out of the building and the Fire Department has strongly advised residents in the area to evacuate their homes as a precaution.

Evacuated residents should seek shelter elsewhere and Glastonbury has opened up the Riverfront Community Center (RCC) to accommodate residents in need. The RCC will provide a lunch program and continue to operate as a day shelter until sufficient air quality testing has been completed. Residents in the Sherbrook Drive, Fisher Hill, and Manchester Road area who choose not to evacuate their homes are advised to stay indoors, shut-off air intake systems, and limit outdoor exposure until the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducts thorough and conclusive testing. Residents of the area can choose to seek shelter in the RCC, however, alternate arrangements should be made for pets as the facility is not equipped to support animals.

Because the manufacturing company produced acrylic plastics, the Environmental Protection Agency of Boston will be conducting precautionary air testing in Glastonbury. This testing is proactive and preventative in nature and there have not been any reports of injury or hazard as a result of this disaster. Updates and results from these efforts will be released as available.

On Thursday, fire officials told The Courant, the building is a total loss and that a small fire crew was at the scene all night into Thursday morning, dousing small pockets of flames. Firefighters were expected to remain at the scene into Thursday evening, according to The Courant report that can be found here.

In addition the air quality control efforts, the Health Department is also advising citizens to be cautious of debris. If you reside in the area near the fire and have found debris on the surrounding property, the Health Department advises you to refrain from coming in contact with any materials.

Should you find debris, call the Health Department at (860) 652-7534 and provide your name, address, and phone number for instructions on how to proceed.