Community Corner

Old Wiring Caused South Meriden House Fire

Meriden Fire Marshal said Thursday that the home's electrical work was not up to code.

The fire that burnt the second floor of a more than 150-year-old South Meriden home Wednesday afternoon was caused by old wiring and unlicensed electrical work, Fire Marshal Steve Trella said Thursday. 

Trella said that work that had been done to retrofit the 1860 Colonial at 560 New Hanover Ave. with electricity was not up to code, so that when a fifties-era BX wire running through the floor joists below the second floor malfunctioned, the electrical system couldn't stop it from generating a fire.

Initial reports from the fire department said that two people were renting the house, but Trella dismissed these today, saying the house was not a rental property. The owner, who according to assessor's records is named Vincent Gardon, reportedly has two homes – one in Vermont as well – and that he commutes back and forth between both. 

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According to Trella, Gardon came to the house and spoke with fire officials Wednesday afternoon. 

The building had significant damages. The fire burnt a hole 36 inches in diameter in the floor of the second story, and firefighters cut a hole in the roof to extinguish the blaze. 

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Electricity, gas, and water have been shut off to the home, and a significant amount of work will have to be done before it is again inhabitable, Trella said. The owners will not be cited by the city for electrical system code violations,  Trella said, but will have to get a licensed contractor to pull permits and fix the system prior to electricity being restored to the house.

"Now before they can reoccupy that house, they need to take out the proper permits," Trella said. "All these issues are going to have to be corrected."


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