WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Branford Marks Anniversary of Downtown Fire (Branford-WTNH) _ It's been exactly one year since a devastating fire struck downtown Branford. For business owners who lost everything the last twelve months have not been easy. But many of them are well on the road to recovery. News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports. Considering the extent of the damage that recovery has been nothing short of astounding. Most of the businesses lost in the fire are open again. In fact, tonight the community in Branford is getting together to thank each other for their support and to celebrate what they've accomplished over the last year. Exactly one year after her business went up in flames, Palma Pascarella is having a grand re-opening at her deli. For her this anniversary is definitely a happy occasion! Palma Pascarella, Deli Owner: "People they have such nice comments, 'we couldn't wait for you to open, welcome back', they've been really nice." A year ago: it was just the opposite. A massive blaze erupted along Main Street. Three buildings here were lost. Eleven different businesses destroyed. Today all but one of those merchants are back in business. In fact, 8 of them have found new locations right here in the center of Branford. Tim Brockett, Fire Recovery Council: "The community really got behind the business people here, they wanted them back as soon as possible, and the business owners never quit." Never quit even though the odds were against them. After losing everything many of the merchants faced major hassles with their insurance companies and in most cases that delayed the whole process. Anthony DaRos, First Selectman: "We've done everything we could to expedite it, and there's always major problems when you get into a catastrophic event there's always these problems." Janet Carlin had problems but managed to reopen her business within three months of the fire. Today she says her business is better than ever, and she's looking forward to putting this anniversary behind her. Janet Carlin, Business Owner: "It's like you're closing the chapter, opening a new one, and it's almost a relief to get this over with because after a year, it's time to get on ya know?" The only store lost in the fire that's not back in business yet is Castellon's bakery. However the first selectman says the Castellon family does have plans to rebuild at the same location. And he says everyone's hoping that by this time next year the empty space along main street will be filled. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Branford Marks Anniversary of Downtown Fire
(Branford-WTNH) _ It's been exactly one year since a devastating fire struck downtown Branford. For business owners who lost everything the last twelve months have not been easy. But many of them are well on the road to recovery.
News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports.

Palma at Deli Considering the extent of the damage that recovery has been nothing short of astounding. Most of the businesses lost in the fire are open again. In fact, tonight the community in Branford is getting together to thank each other for their support and to celebrate what they've accomplished over the last year.

Exactly one year after her business went up in flames, Palma Pascarella is having a grand re-opening at her deli. For her this anniversary is definitely a happy occasion!

Palma Pascarella, Deli Owner: "People they have such nice comments, 'we couldn't wait for you to open, welcome back', they've been really nice."

Fire in Jan 1998 A year ago: it was just the opposite. A massive blaze erupted along Main Street. Three buildings here were lost. Eleven different businesses destroyed. Today all but one of those merchants are back in business. In fact, 8 of them have found new locations right here in the center of Branford.

Tim Brockett, Fire Recovery Council: "The community really got behind the business people here, they wanted them back as soon as possible, and the business owners never quit."

Never quit even though the odds were against them. After losing everything many of the merchants faced major hassles with their insurance companies and in most cases that delayed the whole process.

Anthony DaRos, First Selectman: "We've done everything we could to expedite it, and there's always major problems when you get into a catastrophic event there's always these problems."

JC Glassworks Janet Carlin had problems but managed to reopen her business within three months of the fire. Today she says her business is better than ever, and she's looking forward to putting this anniversary behind her.

Janet Carlin, Business Owner: "It's like you're closing the chapter, opening a new one, and it's almost a relief to get this over with because after a year, it's time to get on ya know?"

The only store lost in the fire that's not back in business yet is Castellon's bakery. However the first selectman says the Castellon family does have plans to rebuild at the same location. And he says everyone's hoping that by this time next year the empty space along main street will be filled.

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