Norwich – Quick work to clean water damage and repair the electrical system at the new Foundry 66 shared workspace facility over the weekend will allow the Norwich Community Development Corp. to reopen its office at the 66 Franklin St. site Tuesday, while business tenants will have to wait a bit longer, NCDC President Robert Mills said Monday.

One tenant, Yoga-Thai Massage, Balance, Growth Being LLC, owned by John Benbow, will move temporarily to NCDC's former office at 77 Main St. until the area he rents at Foundry 66 is reopened. NCDC has a month-to-month lease at that space, and could renew for one more month through November if necessary, NCDC Marketing Director Miria Toth said.

A fire that started in an attic crawlspace above the second floor was caused by a lightbulb that was too close to insulation and was left on, Norwich Fire Chief and Fire Marshal Kenneth Scandariato said Monday. The fire was ruled accidental.

The fire damage was contained and extinguished quickly by firefighters Saturday afternoon, but the complex received smoke and water damage. The left side of the first floor – where the Thai massage business and a conference room are located – ended up with 3 to 4 inches of water on the floor.

But the right portion, which houses NCDC's office, several rented offices, a conference room and shared workspace for business clients, was relatively untouched and could reopen soon. Firefighters covered equipment with tarps, and water damage was contained to the left half.

Mills said Monday cleaning crews from Service Master and a carpenter are working on repairs. Mills said Service Master will bring in an environmental consultant to examine the building for air quality before reopening the complex.

NCDC's computer server was removed by Norwich Public Utilities and installed at the utility, allowing NCDC access to business emails while working with cellphones at the Foundry 66 facility. The service will be returned to Foundry 66 soon, he said.

Greg Arpin, assistant city building official, said Monday that DB Lunt Electrical Contractors LLC repaired and cleaned water from the building's electrical system over the weekend. Serve Pro also cleaned the complex. Arpin approved restoring electricity to the complex Monday morning.

“We're pretty amazed at the great job all the fire departments did to contain the water,” Toth said. “It could have been so much worse than it was. We're pretty happy. What could have been a major disaster was avoided.”

Benbow, who operated his business at Meiklem Kilnworks & Centerspace Wellness Studio in Franklin for the past six years, called the fire and temporary relocation “a little speed bump.” He said he remained committed to the Foundry 66 facility and its concept. He will use the Norwich facility for his wellness business and community outreach yoga program. Benbow runs a Humble Monkey Wellness program in several churches in an effort to make yoga more accessible and affordable.

“I think the folks at NCDC are very supportive of all of us in the space and have done a great job helping with our businesses moving forward,” Benbow said.

Benbow, a holistic wellness coach, Thai massage therapist and adaptive yoga practitioner, hopes to start seeing clients at 77 Main St. beginning Tuesday. He said he will have to replace the futon in his office, but lost very little of value.

“I have no electronics,” he said. “It's blankets (yoga) bolsters, a futon and yoga blocks.”

c.bessette@theday.com