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Officials: Lukes Wood Road Fire Likely Caused by Faulty Electrical Device; Free Fire Safety Inspections Available

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Sunday’s residential fire on Lukes Wood Road likely was caused by a faulty electrical device, officials say. Though the Mother’s Day blaze was contained to the garage, the damage to the structure and a vehicle inside “were extensive,” the New Canaan Fire Department said in a press release. With the preventable fire in mind, the New Canaan Fire Marshal’s office is urging residents who are willing to make an appointment for a complimentary fire safety assessment of their home (see contact information below). “This Community Risk Reduction Program for residences is part of the New Canaan Fire Department’s longstanding and continuous commitment to the prevention of fires,” officials said in the release. The fire safety reviews cover: escape plans; smoke and carbon monoxide detector locations; placement and use of fire extinguishers; advice on electrical outlets, cords and power strips; and information related to mechanical equipment such as heating systems and clothes dryers, among other matters.

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Gas Leak at Restaurant Halts Business Downtown on Friday Evening

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A building in the center of downtown New Canaan was evacuated Friday evening following reports of a gas leak, officials say. At about 6 p.m. on May 9, the New Canaan Fire Department responded to a reported odor of gas in a restaurant on Main Street, according to a press release issued by NCFD. Arriving and with help from an off-duty firefighter from a neighboring town, officials “quickly determined a 100 gallon propane tank was leaking behind 15 Elm St.,” the press release said. The address is the same as SE Uncorked. 

Occupants of the buildings at Main and Elm Streets left the premises while the Fire Department “deployed hose lines to disperse the accumulating propane gas vapors,” the release said. “Firefighters also found gas had accumulated in the basement of 15 Elm St.

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Warrant Details New Canaan Man’s Domestic Violence

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New Canaan Police on April 28 arrested a 34-year-old Forest Street man by warrant after his ex-girlfriend detailed months of violent abuse, providing text message screenshots as proof. The victim came to police headquarters on the afternoon of March 24, saying she’d been in a dating relationship with the man that ended in November. 

She “reported that since January of 2024, there have been multiple incidents in which [her ex-boyfriend] assaulted and threatened her in New Canaan,” according to an arrest warrant application obtained by NewCanaanite.com. According to NCPD Officer Michael Schnell’s affidavit, which forms the basis of the application, signed April 23 by state Superior Court Judge Alex Hernandez, those incidents include: 

Man struck victim five to six times with the back of his hand, causing a black eye and swollen lip;
Man punched victim in the back and repeatedly pulled her hair, causing back bruises;
Man held a pocket knife to victim and struck her in the chest with a metal container used for holding mairjuana;
Man bit victim and slapped her across the face; 
Man punched victim in the arm and back; 
Man smashed victim’s phone; 
Man threatened victim with a belt and struck her on the arm; 
Man pulled victim’s hair and struck her multiple times;
Man pulled victim’s hair, punched her in the arm and dragged her to his bed. The victim “screened ‘High-Danger’ on the Lethality Assessment Program,” police said in the arrest warrant application. Schnell referred to a protocol established by state law.

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New Canaan Fire Marshal: Grilling Safety

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Outdoor grilling remains one of the most popular ways to cook food. A grill placed close to anything that can burn is a fire hazard. Over 10,000 home fires are started by grills on a yearly average. 64% of all U.S. households own at least one outdoor bbq, grill or smoker. 

Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors. 
Never leave your grill unattended. 
Grills should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. 
Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area. 
Clean your grill by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill. 
Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it. 

Charcoal Grills 

There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel. 
If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid.

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Firefighters Put Out Lukes Wood Road Fire Sunday Night

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New Canaan firefighters put out a blaze at a Lukes Wood Road home Sunday night, officials say. At 6:45 p.m. on May 11, the New Canaan Fire Department responded to a residential fire alarm at 124 Lukes Wood Road, according to a press release issued by NCFD. “Upon arrival New Canaan firefighters found a fire in a three-car garage under the structure,” the release said. While NCFD was on scene, an occupant of the home arrived and said that there were pets inside though no people, it said. New Canaan firefighters put out the garage fire with a hose line and “assisted the occupants with removing the pets,” it said.