Controlled Burn Planned For House Filled With 'Unstable' Fireworks: Fire Marshal

SHELTON, CT — A controlled burn is planned to take place Thursday morning at a Shelton home containing "unstable" fireworks, during which area homes will be evacuated, according to Shelton Fire Marshal James Tortora.

Tortora confirmed to Patch a significant number of fireworks were found at a home that caught fire Saturday evening on Bruce Drive, during which some of the fireworks went off.

In response, the Connecticut State Police bomb squad has decided the safest action is to perform a controlled burn.

He said the goal is to "attempt to burn the fireworks" in a controlled burn.

"The decision was made because most of the fireworks that have not discharged are unstable and it is not safe for personnel to remove them without the chance for injury," Tortora said.

A fire official added late Wednesday that “As of now, it is the goal to burn the entire structure.”

According to Tortora, the burn is scheduled to take place Thursday at 10 a.m., during which the area will be restricted to the public.

He also noted "neighbors have been notified and evacuations will be in order" that day.

Tortora did not specify the amount of fireworks remaining in the home that have not discharged.

Shelton Fire Department Deputy Chief Paul Wilson also confirmed the burn will take place Thursday, and residents in the immediate area will be evacuated for the duration of the burn.

"The state police bomb squad is in charge of the scene," Wilson said in an email, "and the decision was made that this would be the best and safest course of action."

According to the Shelton Fire Department, emergency personnel responded to a house on Bruce Drive around 6:40 p.m. and found flames visible from the front of the home.

The fire was in the garage and had extended to the house's second floor, authorities said, adding it took about 40 minutes to extinguish.

See also: 3 Displaced By House Fire In Shelton

The response included five engines, a ladder and roughly 30 people, according to the department.

The house was deemed unsafe for occupancy, displacing three residents and a dog, authorities said, adding the cause of the fire was under investigation.