After devastating fire, community rallies around damaged Harwinton businesses
After a devastating fire overnight on Wednesday in Harwinton, the tight-knit community is rallying around several damaged businesses.
They’re closed for now, but owners are already promising to rebuild.
These are popular businesses in this small town, some of which have been here for decades. Many people stopped by on Wednesday, stunned by the damage to a pizza shop, a convenience store, and an ice cream shop.
Firefighters raced to put out a fire early Wednesday morning that damaged three businesses, including 5 Scoops Sweet Shoppe.
“I pulled in the parking lot, just started crying because this is my life, you know?” said LeeAnn Hogan, owner of 5 Scoops Sweet Shoppe.
Hogan said her ice cream parlor has been busy since it opened a couple of years ago off Route 118, especially the day before the fire.
“I just wanted to stay open for my customers because it was hot out,” she said. “And, you know, I left here about ten after nine. Thought everything was fine and I go home and go to sleep, and my son wakes me up at 3 a.m. that the plaza was on fire and he came down, and it was just devastating.”
Firefighters were called after a state trooper passing by noticed smoke coming from the roof early in the morning.
Crews found flames in the Daily Mart, which was damaged along with 5 Scoops and Hometown Pizza.
“We love coming here,” Barbara Brennan, of Torrington, said about Hometown Pizza. “We love the slices. And we’ve been coming here for years.”
“It’s very sad. I feel bad for the people who are owners and what happened,” said Nancy Cox of Harwinton.
Hogan said she can continue part of her business after recently buying a trailer. She said she is grateful for the outpouring of support from the community and customers she considers family.
“The community has been so supportive,” she said. “I mean, I’ve been getting calls all day, text messages, I mean, you know, offering to help rebuild. And I will rebuild.”
“She’s the hardest worker I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Steve Toth of Harwinton. “I mean, she’s just, I’ve known her for 30 years, and it’s just if anybody can rebuild and get it going again, and it’s her.”
No one was hurt in the fire. The cause remains under investigation.
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