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The incident occurred in New Haven County in Oxford at around 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Brookside Inn Restaurant and a nearby residence.
The rescue occurred when Beacon Falls firefighters responded to calls in Seymour and Oxford to help Oxford crews, who were extraordinarily busy with emergencies throughout town. Beacon Hose requested permission from Oxford fire officials to stage a rescue operation at the restaurant and a residence.
The department said Truck 6 and Rescue 4 responded and saved a woman and her dog by extending its ladder over 86 feet.
The crew then moved to the restaurant rescue, where 18 people had evacuated to the second and third floors of the restaurant. Using their aerial ladder with a 107-foot reach, they evacuated 18 people trapped inside by having them walk up the ladder, with one person requiring a basket rescue, the department said.
The department said the rescue operation, which involved 19 people and one dog, was completed by 7:30 p.m.
During the operation, a large propane tank dislodged from the building and began leaking, releasing propane that enveloped part of the building. The department said hazards in the rushing flood water, including vehicles and dumpsters, also occurred.
Nobody was injured during this rescue. Beacon Hose transported many people back to its headquarters using the department’s minibus to await pickup.
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