June 11, 2026
.com
Branford, North Branford & Northford Vol. XXX Iss. 24
North Branford Fire Draws DEEP, Cleanup Effort Staff Report NORTH BRANFORD
A fire involving chemicals, fuel containers and propane tanks prompted a response from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) on June 5 and left neighbors seeking answers about a longtime problem property on David Lane.
Firefighters responded shortly after 2 a.m. on June 5 to a residence in the 20 block of David Lane, where heavy fire was reported in the rear yard. According to scanner reports, multiple explosions were occurring when crews arrived. Mutual aid tankers from Durham and Wallingford were requested to assist at the scene. No injuries were reported. According to DEEP, an unknown number
of containers holding pool chemicals, gasoline, diesel fuel and other motor vehicle fluids were compromised by the fire. The agency said numerous propane cylinders were also found on the property. Some were damaged by the fire, while others experienced boiling liquid expanding vapor explosions, commonly known as BLEVEs.
Vincenzo Cortese’s growing business is giving back to his community...............................2
See North Branford Fire page 6
Exploring the Pond
Top Honor T-birds ace Lauren Vitarisi has A.J. Martone, right, peers into the earned Shoreline Co-Pitcher fish ladder at Branford Supply of the Year honors........................20 Pond as friends Oliver Lloyd, center, and Luciano Del Monaco make their way to the other side on June 7. The boys spent a warm afternoon exploring the pond in search of wildlife, even coming across a small snake along the way.
Photo by Wesley Bunnell/ The Sound
Postcards from Afar Susan Cornell continues her threepart series chronicling her journey to Alaska.....................................22
Donations from our readers help ensure we can provide our product FREE of charge each week. We are grateful for your generosity.
DONATE NOW AT ZIP06.COM/VOLUNTARYPAY