Cause Of Downtown Madison Fire "Undetermined"

The following article was written and reported by Pem McNerney: 

The cause of a fire that destroyed a building in downtown Madison early Thursday morning is "undetermined," the town's fire marshal says. 

Samuel E. DeBurra, Jr, the fire marshal, said late Monday that state and local fire officials conducted a thorough investigation and that it appears as though the problem may have been in a hallway near a bathroom outside of the pizza parlor, but that the specific source of ignition could not be determined. 

The building--once home to the Madison Wine Shop, Village Pizza, and several small businesses that operated out of a small office above Village Pizza--was torn down Monday afternoon.

"It's like losing an old friend," said one Madison resident who was among the small crowd that gathered across the street to watch Monday afternoon. 

First Selectman Fillmore McPherson said Monday that he hoped people would come out for a fundraiser later this week to provide support to the businesses and employees of the businesses, who are now looking for work. 

Here is information about that fundraiser from the Madison Chamber of Commerce: 

MADISON UNITED!  
HERE'S OUR FIRST CHANCE TO HELP THE BUSINESSES 
DEVASTATED BY [THURSDAY's] FIRE:

The Madison Beach Hotel in partnership with The Madison Chamber of Commerce is organizing a community-wide fundraiser in support of two businesses Village Pizza and Madison Wine Shop lost in a fire in downtown Madison this week.  Both businesses were local icons.

Madison Unites! will be a benefit for the two family-owned businesses and their employees.

The event will be organized in conjunction with the launch of Madison Beach Hotel's popular series of special outdoor concerts this summer.

The public is invited to come enjoy a concert on the beachfront lawn at Madison Beach Hotel and make a donation in support of the businesses and their employees.

The Madison Beach Hotel will match the first $1,000 raised!

The fund will be managed by the Madison Chamber of Commerce.

The concert will take place on Thursday, June 27th, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
on the front lawn of the Madison Beach Hotel, 94 West Wharf Rd., Madison

Please come down to listen to the great music of Adam Jensen 
and support the two displaced businesses.

The Chamber will also be placing donation receptacles in downtown business locations. 

If you'd like one for your business, please let us know via email: chamber@madisonct.com and we'll drop one off for you.

Many thanks to the brave firefighters of Madison Hose Co. No. 1 and the North Madison Fire Department, as well as the responders from Guilford, Clinton, Branford and Durham.  Their bravery and quick action helped contain this fire to one building, and no injuries were incurred.

Please remember to show your gratitude to them, as well as the Madison Police Department for maintaining safety throughout this tragic event.

Thanks, too, to the Madison Coffee Shop for donating 100 sandwiches yesterday to the firefighters, Cumberland Farms for donating beverages, and to all the downtown businesses for their patience and offers of help to their fellow retailers. 

This is a prime example of LOVE YOUR LOCAL at its best!