Connecticut

Resident critically injured in 3-alarm fire in Willimantic

Published

6 months ago

January 19, 2026

Resident critically injured in 3-alarm fire in Willimantic

Willimantic fire officials say one person is in critical condition after an apartment fire Sunday night.

The fire broke out just before 10 p.m. at the Armory Apartments on Pleasant Street. Fire crews received several 911 calls reporting the blaze, as well as a notification from the building’s fire alarms.

Willimantic fire crews arrived minutes later and found smoke and fire coming from the back of the building. Officials said one person was out of the building and was injured.

The Willimantic Police Department assisted in evacuating other residents from the apartments. The resident who was injured was taken to Hartford Hospital for serious burn injuries and then transferred to the Bridgeport Hospital burn center, according to officials.

Crews tackled the fire, which also extended to the second-floor apartment and into the attic. The fire was escalated to a second alarm for additional mutual aid.

Officials said the snow made the roads “less than ideal” for reaching the scene.

After crews worked to open ceilings and walls, the flames were visible through ventilation openings in the room, and a third alarm was raised for additional resources. Willimantic fire crews were assisted by other fire departments from North Windham, Windham Center, Windham Hospital paramedics, Mansfield, University of Connecticut, Columbia, Coventry, Hebron, Scotland, and Norwich.

The fire was eventually brought under control and fully extinguished.

“I’m proud of [the fire crews’] efforts and grateful to our mutual aid partners for their assistance in helping us bring this incident under control,” Fire Chief Ron Palmer, Jr., said.

The building once served as a state armory and was renovated years prior into a 30-unit apartment, officials said. Six apartments were affected by fire, smoke, or water damage and have been ruled uninhabitable.

The Windham Fire Marshal’s office, along with the Connecticut State Police Fire Explosion Investigation Unit, will be investigating the cause of the fire.

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Connecticut

Cyclosporiasis outbreak prompts food safety concerns in Connecticut

Published

11 hours ago

July 12, 2026

Press Room

Cyclosporiasis outbreak prompts food safety concerns in Connecticut

ROCKY HILL, Conn. (WFSB) – People like Dena Pizzoferrato are changing what they put in their grocery carts after hearing about a cyclosporiasis outbreak.

“I’m kind of a little nervous so I’m looking to see what I buy right now,” Pizzoferrato said. “Today I didn’t buy any lettuce. I said I’m OK for now.”

Doctors say the illness is spread through parasites that make their way onto fresh produce. There have been 23 reported cases in Connecticut since May, but the CDC says the number is likely higher. Across the country, more than 840 cases and 86 hospitalizations have been reported in 31 states.

Symptoms include diarrhea and nausea that can last days to weeks. Doctors have not identified a source for the outbreak.

Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare, said a range of produce could be contaminated.

“Typical things you would think are vegetables or fruits. In the past, it’s been raspberries, basil, cilantro. You may find it in lettuces, bagged salads. So it’s a variety of things that can be contaminated, but they have not found it at this time,” said Wu.

Wu said residents should take precautions with their produce. “Take precautions with your fruit and your produce. We give the same advice when people go overseas that you should always peel something. You should always boil something,” he said.

Doctors also recommend washing produce thoroughly if boiling is not an option, and washing hands regularly.

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Connecticut

Milford business celebrating 50th anniversary

Published

21 hours ago

July 12, 2026

Press Room

Milford business celebrating 50th anniversary

Chip Rubenstein, owner of Chip’s Auto Sales of Milford, says he’s honored to celebrate the dealership’s 50th anniversary alongside America’s 250th birthday.

“I opened Chip’s Auto Sales in 1976, during a chaotic time for our nation in the world,” said Rubenstein, “50 years later, I am so proud of the legacy I’ve created as somebody who always tried his best to do right, and to serve my community proudly.”

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