08/25/14 New Haven, CT- New Haven Firefighters received a 911 call and an AFA, shortly after six o'clock in the evening, from Delaney's Tap Room, reporting smoke in the basement. Responding firefighters found a two story frame, residential over commercial with fire showing on the outside of the building extending up the siding. Live wires were also arcing on the establishment and poles near by. Firefighters attempted to make an interior attack, but were thwarted by the catacomb like basement of the nearly 150 year old building, the heavy smoke and electrically charged premises. Battalion Chief Gould pulled members from the building and transmitted the second alarm.
Companies prepared for the firefight as heavy smoke pushed from the building. Due to the construction of the building and numerous additions over the years the fire would burn for over six hours requiring the need for two more alarms. Thick, acrid, brown smoke poured from establishment, blanketing the area and making the exterior firefight extremely difficult.
Parts of the 150 year old building eventually collapsed into itself helping firefighter gain the upper hand and douse the fire. Heavy equipment would have to be brought in the next day to assist in extinguishing the pockets of fire. The establishment was a total loss.
Multiple firefighter were transported with various injuries from the blaze. The state fire marshal was brought in to help with determining a cause of the blaze.
Unfortunately I was on my way down to Delaney's when the fire started, I live only 10 minutes away. Needless to say my phone started going haywire with all the calls and texts what was going on. It was a good neighborhood establishment with a ton of geat beers on tap and in stock along with some great food. The owner of the resturant had an extensive burbon and wine collection in the basement as well.
Fortunately no one who was in Delaney's and the appartments up stairs was hurt and everyone was able to get out. Ironically the first due engine company, Engine 15 is just a block or two up the street on the back side (the road in the first picture). They were operating at another two alarm fire a few roads past this incident (still thier first due) and were getting ready to clear.
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