Fire leaves New London market with significant damage

New London ― Boards covered the windows of the Super Fiesta Market and a sheen of soot lined the aisles Monday as insurance adjusters surveyed the remnants of an overnight fire.

The Sunday night fire caused significant damage to the 83 Mountain Ave. store and displaced two people from a basement apartment, according to New London Fire Chief Vernon Skau.

There were no injuries, he said. Fire Inspector David Heiney is investigating the cause.

Damian Speranza, who identified himself as a co-owner of the building and a firefighter with Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department in Groton, was thankful nobody was hurt.

He purchased the building and an adjacent multifamily home in early 2022 as part of Helpful Homes LLC, according to assessor’s records.

The owner of Super Fiesta Market was at the site Tuesday but did not want to comment.

Speranza said he is working with the tenants of the basement apartment to find them a place in one of the company’s other rental properties. He said he owns eight buildings in New London and two in Norwich.

Skau said the fire was reported at 11:45 p.m. on Sunday. The first crews arrived within three minutes to find flames on the first floor, which they were able to contain and bring under control within 20 minutes.

Fire investigators left the scene around 5 a.m., Skau said.

The American Red Cross relocated the two residents after the apartment was damaged by water from the firefighting effort, according to the chief.

The Waterford Fire Department, Naval Submarine Base Fire Department and Groton Ambulance also responded.

e.regan@theday.com