Fire at tire business ruled arson

Plainfield, Conn. (WTNH) -- A fire that destroyed a local Plainfield business has been ruled an arson by the fire marshal. A second fire that broke out at nearly the same time at a house in Canterbury was ruled accidental.

On Tuesday morning fire crews scrambled to put out fires in both Canterbury and Plainfield. Both fires had devastating results.

It was the worst possible start to a day for Gary Gluck. He learned that his tire store on Packerville road in Plainfield was burning.

"I got a call this morning that something was on fire, came down to look to see the building was in flames," Gluck said.

Firefighters from Plainfield and surrounding communities did all they could, but it was too late to save most of the business, including a number of cars.

"It was obviously all of the machinery, the vehicles that were in there are obviously a total loss," said Plainfield Fire Chief Ralph Wells.

"Oh there's at least half a dozen," Gluck said. "And there were some inside."

Firefighters were able to keep the flames away from a house adjacent to Gary's Tires.

The fire was reported at 5:51 a.m. Gluck received minor burns.

The fire was ruled an arson and it remains under investigation.

At about the same, word came in of a house fire about three miles away on North Canterbury Road in Canterbury.

What began as a chimney fire turned into something much more serious.

"Upon arrival, the right hand side of the building was fully involved, we had a slight problem with water supply," said Canterbury Fire Chief Kyle McGarthery.

Two people inside the home made it out safely. The Red Cross is assisting them with housing and person items, such as toothbrushes.

This fire was ruled accidental after firefighters say there was a problem with the wood stove. 

Anyone with information regarding the fire in Plainfield is asked to contact the Plainfield Police Department at 860-564-0804 or the Connecticut Arson Tip Hot Line at 1-800-84ARSON.