Connecticut

Blown transformer sparks fire, power outage at downtown branch of Hartford Public Library: official

Published

9 months ago

June 17, 2025

Blown transformer sparks fire, power outage at downtown branch of Hartford Public Library: official

The downtown branch of the Hartford Public Library is closed on Tuesday after a transformer blew and sparked a fire, according to the mayor’s office.

The mayor’s office said there was a report of an explosion and smoke in the basement at 500 Main St. just after 9:32 a.m., power was out, and emergency crews responded.

They found heavy smoke and an electrical unit was on fire.

They later determined that a transformer in the basement had blown and caused a fire.

The mayor’s office said they Hartford Fire Department, Hartford Police Department and Eversource isolated the issue, contained the fire and brought the situation under control at 10:43 a.m.

Eversource said none of their transformers were on fire and all of their transformers are operational.

“During our investigation, we determined that customer-owned equipment failed, leading to the outage at the Hartford Public Library and Hartford City Hall. Our crews remain on scene and continue to coordinate with the city to evaluate the repairs that need to be made,” Eversource said in a statement.

No injuries are reported.

“We’re incredibly grateful to our first responders for their quick, coordinated response,” Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam said in a statement. “We’re continuing to work closely with our public safety teams and Eversource to monitor the situation and ensure that power is safely restored to impacted areas.”

The library and the city are looking into ways that the can reopen as soon as possible.

“We’re incredibly grateful to our first responders for their swift and coordinated efforts,” Bridget E. Quinn, Hartford Public Library president and CEO, said in a statement. “I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated Library staff for their commitment to safety throughout this challenging situation. We continue to work closely with the City of Hartford, our public safety partners, and Eversource to monitor developments and ensure power is safely restored to all affected areas.”

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Connecticut

Multiple cars involved in crash on I-84 in Hartford

Published

8 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Multiple cars involved in crash on I-84 in Hartford

A multi-vehicle crash temporarily close Interstate 84 on Tuesday night.

The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. and involved four cars, according to the Hartford Fire Department.

Fire crews arrived at the scene and helped one of the drivers who was trapped. The driver was then taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Four other people reported minor injuries but declined ambulance treatment at the scene, officials said.

I-84 East was temporarily shut down as crews responded but has since reopened.

The Connecticut State Police is investigating the crash.

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Connecticut

Sleet, freezing rain leading to treacherous travel in parts of Connecticut

Published

20 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Sleet, freezing rain leading to treacherous travel in parts of Connecticut

As the snow turns to sleet and freezing rain in parts of the state this afternoon, it is causing some treacherous travel on Connecticut roads.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is reporting several crashes.

There are crashes on both sides of Interstate 691 in Meriden.

A tractor-trailer jackknifed on the eastbound side of I-691 between Exit 5 and 3, closing the left lane. On the westbound side, a single-vehicle crash closed the left lane.

There is a two-vehicle crash on I-91 North in Middletown between Exits 20 and 21. The left and center lanes are closed.

A multi-vehicle crash has closed lanes of I-84 East in Waterbury between Exits 25 and 25A. There is a second crash on I-84 East in Southington near Exit 30.

In Cromwell, a two-vehicle crash closed the right lane of Route 9 North in Cromwell.

On Route 9 South, a crash closed a lane on the southbound side.

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Connecticut

The Great Westport Sandwich Contest kicks off with event at Old Mill Grocery

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

The Great Westport Sandwich Contest kicks off with event at Old Mill Grocery

People in Westport have the chance to pick the best thing between sliced bread.

The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce held a kick-off event at Old Mill Grocery on Monday for The Great Westport Sandwich Contest.

The contest runs throughout March with 21 restaurants, delis and markets competing in 10 categories to be crowned the best sandwich maker.

Residents can vote in the following categories: Best chicken, best steak, best vegetarian, best combo, best club, best NY deli, best pressed sandwich, best breakfast sandwich, best wrap, and best fish/seafood sandwich.

After people sample sandwiches, they can vote for their favorites in each category on the chamber’s website. They will also be placed into a drawing to win a free sandwich from one of the 10 winners.

“Of course, the goal is to have people come to Westport and check out restaurants, our markets and our delis. This is a great promotion. I mean it is a competition, but mostly it’s to bring people to the restaurants. It also gives a great community activity because they are the ones who get to vote who makes the best one,” says Matthew Mandell, the chamber’s executive director.

Winners will be announced in April and receive a plaque.

The chamber has held similar contests to determine what establishment has the best pizza, burger, soup and salad.

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