Source: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/ci_13645064

STAMFORD — A Hilton hotel driver escaped unscathed after being trapped in his van Sunday morning by fallen wires caused by a transformer fire Sunday morning on Greenwich Avenue near 1 Stamford Place, Stamford Police Lt. Sean Cooney said.

The fire was caused by a squirrel that became trapped in the transformer equipment, Connecticut Light & Power spokesman Mitch Gross said.

A group of about 40 customers were left without power until 8 p.m., while another 940 customers were without power from about 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon, Gross said.

The fire closed Greenwich Avenue between Pulaski Street and Richmond Hill Road, and the Interstate 95 northbound Exit 7 off-ramp for about 90 minutes, Cooney said.

Though the driver was uninjured, he was taken to Stamford Hospital as a precaution where he was examined and released, Cooney said.

Source: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/ci_13640505

STAMFORD — A vacant structure slated for demolition on Washington Boulevard was destroyed early Sunday morning in a fire.

No injuries were reported, according to Stamford Fire & Rescue, which responded to the fire.

A spokesman for the fire department would not comment on the suspected cause of the blaze, saying only the fire was under investigation by the Office of the Fire Marshal. The next-door neighbor called 911 at 3 a.m. Sunday to report the fire at 2382 Washington Blvd., according to the department’s news release.

About 22 firefighters arrived to find a “heavy fire showing from the second floor of a vacant, wood-frame, residential building,” according to the release.

The building was previously slated for demolition, according to the release.

Three engine companies, a truck company, a rescue company and a deputy chief responded and extinguished the blaze in about 45 minutes.

The neighboring house received minor damage to its exterior siding.

Staff Writer Devon Lash can be reached at 203-964-2242 or devon.lash@scni.com.