TAFTVILLE, CT - At 10:07 P.M. on Saturday, August 5th, a Norwich Police Officer noticed that the Taftville Congregational Church was on fire and notified dispatch. At 10:08 P.M., the Taftville Fire Department was dispatched. Car 2 arrived at 10:10 P.M. confirming a working fire and transmitted the second-alarm.

Norwich’s Engine 2, Truck 1 and the Battalion were dispatched along with Yantic, Occum, Mohegan Tribal FAST and American Ambulance. Engine 2 arrived at 10:14 P.M. reporting heavy fire from the Charlie/Delta corner of the first-floor. Engine 2 stretched a two-and-a-half-inch hose line through the front door and advanced it to the rear.

Engine 21 laid in from a hydrant on North B Street and established the water supply for Engine 2. Tower 25 positioned in the TVCCA parking lot and flew it to the rear. Truck 1 forced entry into the walkout basement and then assisted with opening up and getting a line in the basement. 

Engine 33 stretched a one-and-three-quarter-inch hose line and backed up Engine 2. Engine 42 tapped into the hydrant in the TVCCA parking lot and fed Tower 25. A one-and-three-quarter-inch hose line was also stretched from Engine 42 to knock down a lot of exterior fire in the rear. Crews operated inside for a while before command briefly evacuated them to knock down some fire with the ladder pipe.

Engine 32 reverse laid out to the Shetucket River and pulled a draft in case a third water supply was needed. Truck 1 then positioned in the driveway and went to the roof for vertical ventilation. Laurel Hill Engine 62 and Jewett City Ladder 156 responded as relief crews.

Crews were on scene throughout the night overhauling and extinguishing hot spots. Canteen 1 provided refreshments and the Norwich Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.