NHFD, Area Firefighters Tackle 4-Alarm River St. Brick Factory Blaze

NEW HAVEN, CT — Before sunrise, at around 6:45 a.m., New Haven firefighters were called to a blaze in a large, two-story brick building at 36 River St.

Soon after arriving, the fire department reported "heavy fire" from the side of the abandoned industrial building and smoke showing from the second floor.

It began as a two-alarm but would soon become a three-alarm blaze, according to the New Haven Fire Department and then, a four-alarm by 10 a.m.

According to an MLS listing, the 13,000-square foot building is a combination warehouse with garage and office space. It's located next to StorQuest Self Storage at 140 Ferry St., the fire department reported.

According to East Haven Fire Chief Matthew Marcarelli, his department was originally called for station coverage by the NHFD as it has an agreement with New Haven — on a third alarm, East Haven covers the Woodward Avenue firehouse. The River Street location is near the East Haven-New Haven border.

But on the way, East Haven was called to the scene to assist with fire attack," Marcarelli said. "We provided large diameter water supply hose that pumped NHFD’s elevated steams."

East Haven firefighters also "made multiple searches for homeless throughout the building," Marcarelli said. He noted that there was "lots of evidence of homeless people living in there, and there's an after hours club on the first floor."

Marcarelli said: "We'll be here awhile."

At around 8:15 a.m., New Haven fire requested West Haven Fire Department's Marine 4 to pump in water from New Haven Harbor.

At 8:45 a.m., New Haven police cautioned drivers to avoid the area of Ferry and River streets, as firefighters were still on the scene.

Still on the scene, Marcarelli told Patch that crews will be "mopping up most of the day," and because of roof collapse, they really can't get in there." The fire chief added that "parts of the building had fire walls and may be salvageable."

Check back for updates.