FAIRFIELD, CT, October 8, 2011: Fairfield Fire Marshal Bill Kessler was on the scene for Hazardous Materials Collection Day in Veterans’ Park this afternoon at about 1:15 when a town resident opened their trunk to dispose of a variety of materials, including a glass pint container of tetrahydrofuran. The chemist from collection contractor Clean Harbors determined that the material may have become unstable and reactive, resulting in calls to Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the State Police Emergency Services Unit.
While awaiting their response, Fairfield Police closed a portion of Reef Road in the area of One Rod Highway as fire personnel cordoned off a one-hundred and fifty foot safety perimeter. With Fairfield Fire Engine 1 and Ladder 1, Shift Commander Stephen Curry, and Fire Marshal Kessler standing by, along with Stratfield Volunteer Fire Department’s Rescue 15 which had been assisting in the annual collection day, ESU units “rendered safe” the material at approximately 4:15pm, detonating it on site. “To my knowledge there was no criminal activity involved in this event,” concluded Kessler.