Francis J. Clarke Park Fire Results in Citation, Minor Injury

In regards to Monday's fire at 13 Francis J. Clarke Circle, the demolition contractor foreman of the building was issued a $250 citation by the Bethel Fire Marshal’s Office Tuesday morning for failure to provide a proper fire watch and remove combustibles away from the area below where demolition cutting and torching work was being performed.

The building was and was in the process of being repaired.

"esterday's fire involved combustible materials including wood framing and foam padding in the former Gymnastics Revolution space. Fire Marshal Tom Galliford said in a press release.

He also said volunteer firefighters from Bethel Volunteer Fire Department, Stony Hill Fire Department and surrounding towns were on scene for two hours extinguishing the fire in the 95,000 square foot building. 

The release said "a large piece of water pipe in the ceiling, that was heated during the fire and contained some water, over-pressurized and was propelled through the building into the parking lot moments before the first fire engine arrived on scene."  

One volunteer firefighter was injured later in the incident and was transported to Danbury Hospital treated and released with a minor arm injury.