Wednesday, September 17, 2008
160-162 Main St (Adam-1)
Fire damages South End grocery store
By JOHN BURGESON
Staff writer
09/19/2008
BRIDGEPORT -- Pop's Grocery in the city's South End, where countless University of Bridgeport students found relief from hunger pangs over the years, was damaged in a Wednesday night blaze that a fire official said appeared a lot worse than it really was. The fire looked serious because it was mostly confined to the exterior of the Main Street building, according to Fire Department Capt. Luis Rivera. This made it look like the entire building was involved, he said. "When we arrived, there was heavy fire, so we called in an appropriate response," Rivera said. Engines 1, 3 and 4 and Ladders 5 and 11 responded, knocking down the flames in less than 20 minutes, Rivera said. Also responding was Rescue 5. Pop's Grocery is at 160 Main St., near Seaside Park and across the street from the boarded-up Conte's Restaurant, another South End landmark. There is an apartment over the store; however, it's not known where the residents spent the night. The Red Cross wasn't called in for assistance, Rivera said, adding that the tenants were the ones who called 911. It's not known when the store would reopen. The structure appeared to have little damage Thursday morning. Rivera confirmed that the building sustained mostly smoke damage. The Fire Department responded to two other house fires Wednesday, but neither caused very much damage.
By JOHN BURGESON
Staff writer
09/19/2008
BRIDGEPORT -- Pop's Grocery in the city's South End, where countless University of Bridgeport students found relief from hunger pangs over the years, was damaged in a Wednesday night blaze that a fire official said appeared a lot worse than it really was. The fire looked serious because it was mostly confined to the exterior of the Main Street building, according to Fire Department Capt. Luis Rivera. This made it look like the entire building was involved, he said. "When we arrived, there was heavy fire, so we called in an appropriate response," Rivera said. Engines 1, 3 and 4 and Ladders 5 and 11 responded, knocking down the flames in less than 20 minutes, Rivera said. Also responding was Rescue 5. Pop's Grocery is at 160 Main St., near Seaside Park and across the street from the boarded-up Conte's Restaurant, another South End landmark. There is an apartment over the store; however, it's not known where the residents spent the night. The Red Cross wasn't called in for assistance, Rivera said, adding that the tenants were the ones who called 911. It's not known when the store would reopen. The structure appeared to have little damage Thursday morning. Rivera confirmed that the building sustained mostly smoke damage. The Fire Department responded to two other house fires Wednesday, but neither caused very much damage. 
