Connecticut
Historic church in New London a total loss, demolition to begin Friday
Crews spent Thursday night sifting through rubble at a church in New London where the roof of the building collapsed hours earlier and began preparing for its anticipated demolition, as city officials say the historic structure is a total loss.
“We suffered a very serious setback here in downtown New London with the loss of one of the oldest and certainly one of the most gorgeous religious structures in the city,” New London Mayor Michael Passero said during a news conference Thursday evening. “The city was extremely fortunate in the manner of the collapse. It could have been a much bigger disaster for us, however, we did lose a cherished historic structure.”
Numerous emergency crews responded to 66 Union St. around 1:30 p.m. after the steeple of Engaging Heaven Church — which shares space with First Congregational Church — and the roof came down during a structural collapse, causing a thunderous roar and massive damage to the more than 200-year-old historic structure, according to Capt. Matthew Galante of the New London Police Department.
According to property records, the church was built in 1810 and had an office building added in 1975.
“Obviously nothing will be able to replace the hole now in our skyline by the loss of this building, but the city is resilient,” Passero said.
One woman was in the rear of the building at the time of the collapse and did not report any injuries, Galante said in a statement. Crews spent the evening hours Thursday rummaging through the rubble to confirm no one else was trapped.
Numerous police and fire departments and other agencies responded to provide mutual aid. This included the Urban Search and Rescue, Connecticut State Police K-9 Search Team, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Emergency Response Unit and Connecticut Task Force 1.
The collapse closed several surrounding streets Thursday, including portions of State, Union and Masonic Streets. Nearby, Connecticut College students in the Manwaring Apartments building had to be evacuated and were informed they would not be able to return for a few days. They were relocated to a nearby hotel and received assistance from the American Red Cross.
Demolition was expected to begin Friday morning and start with the remaining two steeples, which were not considered safe in the wake of the collapse. What caused the collapse remains under investigation by the New London Fire Marshal with the assistance of the Office of the State Fire Marshal as well as state and local building officials, according to Passero.
“It will be some time before that determination is made,” the mayor said.
According to Passero, the building undergoes fire inspections but “there isn’t any routine building inspections.”
“We have not had time to determine if there was any recent inspection to the building structurally,” Passero said Thursday, adding that there was no indication by the congregation or the city that “there was anything wrong with this building.”
Anyone with information has been encouraged to contact the New London Fire Marshal’s Office at 860-447-5294 or the New London Police Department Detective Division at 860-447-1481. Anonymous information can be sent via text message to Tip411 (847411).
Arbor Day: What to know about the holiday celebrating trees
Arbor Day began in Nebraska in the late 1800s. Here’s everything you need to know about the holiday all about trees and nature.
As the weather warms up in preparation for a New England summer, many people are heading back outdoors to adore Connecticut’s nature, from flowers to mountains to trees.
While Connecticut has plenty of fantastic trees to look at this time of year, many of the state’s trees are full of history as well as beauty. In fact, the oldest tree in Connecticut is estimated to be 200-300 years old. Located in Simsbury, the Pinchot Sycamore Tree is believed to be not only the state’s oldest tree, but also its largest.
Here’s the story of Connecticut’s oldest tree, as well as where you can see the landmark today.
History of the Pinchot Sycamore Tree
While the exact origins of the Pinchot Sycamore tree are unknown, it is estimated to be 200-300 years old, with some scholars saying it may be as old as 500 years.
According to Simsbury’s town website, the tree is named after Gifford Pinchot, an environmental preservationist who was born in Simsbury in 1865. Pinchot served as governor of Pennsylvania for two terms and the nation’s first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, which he was appointed to by Teddy Roosevelt. The sycamore was originally dedicated to Pinchot in 1965, and again in 1975.
Last measured in 2016, the Pinchot Sycamore tree stands at a whopping 95 feet tall with a circumference of 28 feet around, making it the largest sycamore tree in all of New England. Today, the tree stands as a symbol of the town of Simsbury, located just south of the town’s center.
How to see the Pinchot Sycamore Tree
Today, the Pinchot Sycamore Tree is at the center of Simsbury’s Pinchot Sycamore Tree Park, located near Talcott Mountain on the east side of the Farmington River. The address is 20 Hartford Rd., Simsbury.
Two markers near the tree recognize the tree’s dedication and measurements, as well as the park’s founders. The tree is accompanied by a nearby bench for viewing, as well as plenty of green space where residents often picnic under the tree’s shade.
WATERBURY, Connecticut (WABC) — Police in Connecticut have arrested a 19-year-old in the shooting of 5 people at the Brass Mill Center mall in Waterbury on Tuesday.
Tajuan Washington, 19, of Waterbury, is charged with five counts of first-degree assault and a number of weapons violations, authorities said at a news conference on Wednesday.
Washington is being held on a $2 million bond.
Brass Mill Center Mall, located at 495 Union St., remained closed following the shooting just before 4:40 p.m. Tuesday, which prompted a massive police response and mall lockdown.
The victims, four women and one man, range in age from 20 to 26.
Three of the victims have been treated and released from the hospital. The remaining two are in stable condition and continue to receive medical care.
The most seriously wounded is a woman who suffered a gunshot to the spine.
Authorities said that the shooting was not random and appeared to have stemmed from a dispute that escalated into gunfire.
Law enforcement recovered evidence from the scene, including items connected to the firearm, which are now being analyzed by forensics teams.
No officers were posted inside the mall at the time of the incident.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont released a statement following the shooting, saying in part, “This afternoon there was a tragic mass shooting at the Bass Mill Center mall in Waterbury, a place where everyone should feel safe. We are grateful to law enforcement, who acted swiftly.”
Authorities said the Brass Mill Center, while not opened to the public as of Wednesday afternoon, has been thoroughly searched and cleared by the Waterbury Police Department in coordination with the Connecticut State Police.
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WATERBURY, Conn. — Five people have been wounded in a shooting at a mall in Connecticut, police said Tuesday.
Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said officers responded to the Brass Mill Center for reports of a disturbance at around 4:40 p.m. He said all victims were being treated at local hospitals, though he declined to elaborate on the extent of their injuries.
Spagnolo said police believe the gunman, who had a semiautomatic pistol, knew the victims and that the shooting was preceded by a dispute that quickly escalated.
He said police haven’t made any arrests so far, but believe there is no further threat to the public.
”We do not believe this was a random act of violence,” Spagnolo said at a briefing outside the mall.
The Brass Mill Center is located off Interstate 84 in Waterbury, about 30 miles (about 50 kilometers) southwest of Hartford, the state capital.
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