New Britain, CT 2nd alarm 408 Arch St. vacant building

02/09/18 New Britain, CT - New Britain firefighters responded to 408 Arch Street shortly before 5 a.m to find heavy smoke from a vacant four story, residential over commercial dwelling. Firefighters found heavy fire in the basement. The fire quickly extended throughout the one hundred year old building. Multiple lines were stretched, but companies could not get ahead of the fire. The interior operations were ceased in favor of an exterior attack. Two trucks and several multi-versals were operated into the stubborn blaze. The fire burned for several hours before being brought under control. The entire building had recently been condemned, thereby evicting the occupants. A bodega and one additional business operated on the first floor. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the New Britain fire marshal with assistance from the state fmo.