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Neighbors demand action after David Lane fire; town says property owner must comply by June 22 or face fines
Summary
After a June 5 fire and explosions at 21 David Lane, neighbors described years of hoarding, stored chemicals and safety risks. Acting town manager Rory Burke said state cleanup and well testing found no contamination; the property owner was issued a violation with a June 22 compliance deadline and a 45‑day building-code remediation order.
North Branford — Dozens of residents packed the June 16 council meeting to press the town for faster enforcement and more transparency after a June 5 fire and explosions at 21 David Lane that sent debris into neighboring yards and prompted multi‑agency response.
Acting Town Manager Rory Burke told the council the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) completed a site cleanup and tested adjacent wells; those well tests came back negative for contamination. Burke outlined the town’s enforcement history on the property — interactions dating to 2010, additional enforcement in 2014 and 2017, and a zoning violation letter in January 2024. A blight complaint and violation letter followed the town’s 2024 blight ordinance, and after the June 5 incident the town issued another violation notice. Burke said the owner has until June 22 to demonstrate substantial compliance or fines will begin to accrue; the building official also issued a building‑code violation that requires remediation within 45 days.
Neighbors described years of accumulation of vehicle parts, tires, fuel containers, propane tanks, scrap metal and other debris. “This incident has been going on over 10 years,” said Robert Spano of 9 David Lane, who told council members explosions and flying debris have endangered children and could subject the town to legal action. Several neighbors said they photographed the yard daily and that children who witnessed the explosions now require counseling.
Other neighbors described seeing the homeowner pouring flammable liquids into containers, alleged that he operates an illegal scrap business from the yard, and raised concerns about possible firearms on the property and the homeowner’s mental health. "The families who live nearby should not have to wonder whether the next fire, explosion, or environmental hazard will be worse than the last one," said Nicole Trobridge, who lives adjacent to the property.
Councilors and staff emphasized the constraints of due process but pledged firm enforcement if the owner fails to demonstrate consistent cleanup. Burke said the town’s goal is remediation rather than fines, but that fines will be levied if substantial progress is not shown by the June 22 deadline.
The council took no immediate policy vote at the meeting; residents were told the investigation is ongoing and that investigative agencies will release final reports when available.
