Firefighters douse fire on Maple Street

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Firefighters are on the scene of a structure fire at 149 Maple St. in Naugatuck. –LUKE MARSHALL

NAUGATUCK — A Wednesday morning fire caused damage to two businesses located in a historic building on Maple Street.

Firefighters responded to a fire in the three-story building at 155 Maple St. at about 9 a.m.

Naugatuck Fire Chief Ellen Murray said the fire took about two hours to put out. Crews stayed on scene longer to ensure there were no hotspots in the building that could rekindle the fire.

“They were doing a very thorough overhaul to make sure it was completely extinguished,” Murray said.

Murray said it looked like the fire started on the ceiling of the second floor or on the third floor.

No injuries were reported. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.

The building houses Naugatuck Pharmacy, which takes up half of the bottom floor, and America’s Country Store and Furniture, which takes up the other half of the first floor and the two upper floors.

The building is owned by C&H Realtors, LLC, which is owned by Charles Wasoka, Jr., according to land records. The country store is owned by Charles Wasoka, Sr.

The building was built in the early 1900s and served as the home for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, according to local officials.

After the fire was extinguished, the Wasokas were allowed back into the building to survey the damage. The electricity was shut off to the building and employees of the pharmacy were removing boxes of medicine that needed to be refrigerated.

The pharmacy suffered water damage, while the furniture store suffered fire, smoke and water damage. Murray said she expects both businesses to be able to reopen eventually.

Several roads in the area were closed as firefighters investigated and reopened shortly after 5 p.m.

Beacon Hose Company No. 1 from Beacon Falls and the Waterbury Fire Department responded to the scene to provide assistance. Firefighters from Seymour came in to cover at Naugatuck fire headquarters.

“Thanks to all of the departments who came to help. We were very happy there were no injuries,” Murray said.