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Fire Rips Through Shops, Apartments In Downtown Bethel

BETHEL, Conn. — A fire tore through apartments and shops on Greenwood Avenue in the center of downtown Bethel overnight, according to a Facebook post from the Stony Hill Fire Department. 

The apartments above the Giggling Pig sustained heavy damage in the fire early Thursday.

The apartments above the Giggling Pig sustained heavy damage in the fire early Thursday.

Photo Credit: Chris Hoelck
Bethel and Stony Hill firefighters, with the help of many mutual aid companies, respond to a fire on Greenwood Avenue in downtown Bethel just after 1 a.m. Thursday

Bethel and Stony Hill firefighters, with the help of many mutual aid companies, respond to a fire on Greenwood Avenue in downtown Bethel just after 1 a.m. Thursday

Photo Credit: Stony Hill Volunteer Fire Company
The building in the heart of downtown Bethel is heavily damaged after a fire early Thursday.

The building in the heart of downtown Bethel is heavily damaged after a fire early Thursday.

Photo Credit: Chris Hoelck
The landmark building on Greenwood Avenue in Bethel is heavily damaged after a fire early Thursday.

The landmark building on Greenwood Avenue in Bethel is heavily damaged after a fire early Thursday.

Photo Credit: Chris Hoelck

Firefighters from Bethel and Stony Hill, with help from many mutual aid companies, responded to the structure fire, which occurred in a row of quaint mixed-use buildings at 178 Greenwood Ave. just after 1 a.m. Thursday.

Several families are homeless and some businesses are closed in the aftermath of the blaze, which took about three hours to extinguish, according to the News-Times. 

One resident was taken to Danbury Hospital, then transferred to Bridgeport Hospital, the News-Times said. Three firefighters also suffered minor injuries, NBC Connecticut said.

The fire has displaced a total of eight families, NBC Connecticut said.

The apartments on the upper floors sustained fire and water damage, and there is water damage to the first-floor businesses, which include the Giggling Pig Art and Party Studio and the Doherty Petri School of Dance, the News-Times said.

The fire is under investigation as the cleanup continued Thursday morning. Greenwood Avenue has reopened, but drivers are urged to use caution in the area.

The Giggling Pig Art and Party Studio, which runs arts and crafts day camps, is closed Thursday, according to a Facebook post. 

"We are so appreciative of all the support and hard work from the local firefighters who helped to save many lives," the Facebook post said. "We are in the processing of trying to find a place to relocate to so that we can continue to work with the kids." 

Click here for the story at the News-Times. Click here for the NBC Connecticut story.

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