Fire under I-95 overpass in Bridgeport prompts safety message from city officials

The site, located on private property beneath I-95, is a fenced-in homeless encampment where people seek shelter inside unused drainage pipes being stored in a long row above ground, said City Councilman Jorge Cruz.

Frank Recchia

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Dec 6, 2024, 2:56 AM

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Updated 9 days ago

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A fire broke out inside a giant reinforced concrete pipe somebody was using for shelter at South and Railroad avenues in Bridgeport around 6 p.m. Wednesday night, officials said Thursday.

The site, located on private property beneath I-95, is a fenced-in area where people seek shelter inside unused drainage pipes being stored in a long row above ground, said City Councilman Jorge Cruz.

"It's a miracle nobody was seriously hurt, and we need to let folks know there's a warming center at 650 Park Ave., a short walk from this location," Cruz said.

"People start fires to stay warm, and then things get out of control," Cruz said.

Jose Santiago, who works nearby, said he saw thick smoke that smelled like burning plastic and he wondered what was going on.

"It's really sad that people need to sleep in these pipes. The fire appeared to have started in one pipe, then somehow spread to others. It was a big fire," Santiago said.

It wasn't immediately clear who owns the site, but Cruz said it appears to be state property.