PIZZA RESTAURANT IN GALES FERRY DAMAGED BY FIRE

Ledyard — Numerous fire departments responded to a two-alarm fire at a Gales Ferry restaurant early Friday morning.

Gales Ferry Volunteer Fire Company Chief Anthony Saccone said the call came in about 5:15 a.m., when a delivery truck driver making his rounds at Fireside Brick Oven Pizza at 1661 Route 12 noticed smoke coming out of the eaves.

Saccone said firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke throughout the building, including the attic and eaves. They called for the second alarm because of the restaurant’s proximity to multiple businesses in the same plaza.

The fire itself was confined to the attic space and had burned through numerous roof rafters, according to the chief.

No one was injured, Saccone said. He said the restaurant likely would be closed “for some time” due to water damage.

Saccone said snowy, icy conditions from the morning’s storm affected efforts when firefighters had to wait for an additional ladder truck to arrive so they could evacuate smoke by cutting a hole in the roof from the ladder itself, instead of getting up on the roof and sliding off.

Firefighters responded from departments including Ledyard, the U.S. Naval Submarine Base, Mashantucket Pequot, Preston, North Stonington, Poquonnock Bridge, Laurel Hill, Mohegan Tribal and Center Groton.

Saccone said the cause is under investigation by the town fire marshal, who was on the scene while the blaze was being put out.

The restaurant suffered “extensive” damage and will be closed until further notice, according to a post on the business’s Facebook page.