Watch CBS News

Officials: Fire At Vacant Bridgeport Factory May Be Arson

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Bridgeport officials said they believe someone intentionally set a large fire that burned through a vacant factory building and sent two firefighters to the hospital for heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation.

WCBS 880's Paul Murnane On The Story

Podcast

Firefighters remained at the Nest Arts Factory on Friday morning as smoke continued to billow. Officials expect the smoldering to continue through the weekend.

Assistant Fire Chief Ismael Pomales said it appears an accelerant was used because of how big the fire was when firefighters arrived Thursday evening. He also says youths apparently hang around the building because of the graffiti there.

The firefighters who were hospitalized are expected to be released.

Metro-North trains had to be slowed near the site because of the heavy smoke. Local officials are also asking residents to keep their windows closed to prevent smoke from entering their homes.

The factory building, which is located between the Metro-North train tracks and Interstate 95, had recently been used for concerts, films and art exhibits.

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.