Simsbury, CT – A devastating fire at the Old Hopmeadow Center on Saturday night destroyed a commercial building housing eleven local businesses, displacing many and raising questions about the cause. The blaze, which erupted around 9:30 p.m., sent plumes of smoke high above the Simsbury skyline, prompting multiple fire departments to rush to the scene.
Fire Chief Todd Myers of the Simsbury Fire Department reported a "heavy volume of fire coming from one of the first-floor occupancies" upon their arrival. Firefighters struggled to contain the massive flames, facing the difficulties posed by the building’s layout, where each business operated independently with its own entryway and stairwells. “It made it very difficult to get hold of the fire and finally put it out,” Myers explained.
Despite the challenges, firefighters from neighboring towns, including Bloomfield, Avon, Canton, Granby, and Farmington, were called for mutual aid. Crews worked through the night, conducting interior attacks on the fire but were forced to withdraw several times due to the conditions inside, including roofs collapsing under the heat. “We initiated an aggressive interior attack, but we were forced back by the fire conditions,” Myers remarked.
Witnesses described the scene as catastrophic. Cliff Silva, who works nearby, noted it looked like "a giant bonfire." He couldn’t help but be impressed as he watched dozens of firetrucks battling the inferno throughout the night. By Sunday morning, much of the building was being demolished as crews continued to fight hot spots within the rubble.
Multiple businesses, including Sarah’s Nail Studio, MC Tutoring, and Journey of Yoga, now face uncertainty as their premises have been reduced to ash. Duong Pham, who operated Sarah's Nail Studio with his brother for five years, expressed his sorrow, particularly with the holiday season approaching. “I feel bad, you know. The holidays are coming. I have a family to take care of. Stuff like that's just bad timing,” Pham said.
Matthew Chmilewski, who ran his tutoring business out of the building for over ten years, echoed Pham’s sentiments. “Come back this morning, it's really...it's devastating. It’s terrible,” he said, expressing urgency to find new accommodations so he can continue serving his students.
The ice-cold temperatures posed additional challenges for the firefighters, making the emergency response hazardous. “With the ice and the cold temperatures, they did a good job. With Christmas coming, people are probably pretty upset, you know? They lost their businesses and their livelihoods,” noted Paul Crispo, who owns Warner Landscaping Company.
Simbury state representative Melissa Osborne commended the bravery of the local firefighters, stating, “I’m enormously grateful to our amazing Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company for their tireless response.” Fortunately, reports indicated no injuries among the public, though one firefighter did sustain minor injuries and was treated on-site.
Currently, the cause of the fire remains unclear, and the Simsbury Fire Marshal’s Office is conducting the investigation. With the community still reeling from the impacts, the hope is for swift support for those affected by this dreadful event.
