Electric bus catches fire; officials say lithium ion battery fires hard to put out, continually reignite: 'Looks very environmentally friendly'



An electric bus caught fire Saturday morning in the parking lot of the CT Transit Bus Depot in Hamden, Connecticut, according to a Facebook post from the Hamden Fire Department.

What are the details?

"Lithium ion battery fires are difficult to extinguish due to the thermal chemical process that produces great heat and continually reignites," the post read.

Investigators told WVIT-TV that two transit workers were hospitalized as a precaution due to smoke exposure, and one firefighter was hospitalized for for heat exhaustion.

The fire marshal is investigating the incident, according to the post.

While officials told WVIT such fires have to be left to burn because they can't be extinguished, assistant Fire Chief Jeffrey Naples told WTNH-TV firefighters had to use “copious” amounts of water to extinguish the flames.

The bus was purchased and delivered in 2021, CT Transit interim deputy general manager Josh Rickman told WTNH.

How did folks react?

While the Hamden Fire Department limits who can comment on its Facebook posts, a number of folks on Twitter had a bunch to say about the electric bus fire:

  • "Looks very environmentally friendly," one user quipped.
  • "Happy Earth Day bitches," another commenter declared.
  • "So this is the climate change they want," another user wondered.
  • "That seems to be a pretty high carbon footprint right about now…" another commenter said.
  • "I wonder what that smoke has in it? Evaluate 6 city blocks…" another user noted.
  • "THAT'S gotta be good for the atmosphere," another commenter reasoned.
  • "So GREEN!" another user joked.

Man arrested after allegedly pointing gun at two women. Witness says suspect was upset women didn't say thank you after he held door open for them.



A man was arrested after allegedly pointing a gun at two women in front of a Family Dollar store in Hamden, Connecticut, on Saturday afternoon, police said.

A witness said the man was upset the women didn't say thank you to him for holding the door open for them, police added.

What else happened?

Police said they responded to a report about the incident at 1245 Dixwell Ave. around 3:15 p.m. Officer Joseph Venditto and Officer Timothy Janus located the suspect on Helen Street, police added.

The suspect — later identified as 25-year-old Joshua Murray — had a gun on him, police said.

Authorities said that while Murray interfered with officers during his arrest, no one was injured during the initial complaint or during the arrest.

Murray, a New Haven resident, was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, two counts of second-degree breach of peace, and interfering with a police officer, police said.

New Haven is about six miles south of scene of the incident in Hamden.

Murray is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Aug. 2 and was held on a $25,000.00 bond, police said.

How did folks react?

Folks reacting to the incident on the Facebook page of the Hamden Police Department were quite happy with the outcome:

  • "Thank you as always Hamden Police," one commenter wrote. "I am sorry these two woman had to be involved in this."
  • "Get him off the streets," another commenter said. "What’s to say that there won’t be a next time, and he succeeds."
  • "Punish him by having him work at the Family Dollar," another commenter reacted. "That will fix him."
  • "All because someone didn’t say thank you?" another commenter asked. "Unreal!"
  • "Sick world," another commenter said.
  • "He should be in jail!!! No bail!" another commenter declared. "WTH is the matter with the judges! Someone had to be severely punished before this will stop!!! Why should the 99% change their lives?"