Groton City firefighters quickly extinguish church fire

Groton — City firefighters Tuesday night quickly extinguished a fire at the Pleasant Valley Community Prayer and Praise Church at 20 Grove Ave.

Fire Chief Nicholas DeLia said the fire was reported at 9:15 p.m. He said a music group from the church was in the main sanctuary practicing when they heard an alarm go off. They smelled the smoke and immediately called 911.

DeLia said when firefighters arrived there was a heavy smoke condition throughout the entire church.

He said firefighters ventilated the building before fighting the blaze, which was contained to just an office. He said the church should be able to open Sunday.

“It took us longer to get the smoke out than to put the fire out,” said DeLia.
DeLia said no injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

In addition to Groton City, fire departments from Electric Boat, Poquonnock Bridge, Submarine Base, Old Mystic, Groton ambulance and paramedics also responded. The Noank fire department covered the city’s fire headquarters.