BETHEL, Conn. (Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025) — Firefighters responded early Tuesday after smoke filled a store inside the Big Y shopping plaza on Route 6, prompting a full structure fire assignment, officials said.

The alarm sounded at 2 a.m., dispatching Stony Hill Volunteer Fire Company and Bethel Fire & EMS. A Bethel police officer first on scene reported heavy smoke inside a locked business, leading Stony Hill’s chief to upgrade the call to a structure fire.

Stony Hill’s Truck 4 and Engine 3 established a water supply, forced entry and searched the premises. Bethel’s Engine 6 and Truck 1 assisted from the roof and rear, while Brookfield Volunteer Fire Company provided mutual aid.

Crews traced the source to a malfunctioning machine-room device that burned components and filled multiple stores with smoke but did not spark active flames. Firefighters used ventilation fans to clear the plaza, remaining on scene for nearly two hours.

No injuries were reported. The Bethel Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.

Officials reminded residents that fire alarms and early detection remain critical. “We treat all fire alarms like the real deal because you never know what you’ll come upon,” the department said.