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Major Brush Fire In NY Spreads Smoke Into CT Major Brush Fire In NY Spreads Smoke Into CT
Major Brush Fire In NY Spreads Smoke Into CT A major brush fire over at least a dozen acres in the Hudson Valley produced smoke that spread across the New York border into Connecticut. The blaze broke out at around 12:05 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 in Putnam County in the area of Route 301 and East Boyds Road in the town of Kent and was finally contained late in the day on Sunday, Oct. 27. While responding, crews observed a large fire on the mountain and immediately requested mutual aid from neighboring departments, according to the Kent Fire Department.  Responding crews located the large brushfire of approximately 5 to 6 acres…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash ID'd: 'Words Cannot Express The Magnitude Of This Loss' Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash ID'd: 'Words Cannot Express The Magnitude Of This Loss'
Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash ID'd: 'Words Cannot Express The Magnitude Of This Loss' A Connecticut firefighter who was killed when the ATV he was on rolled over while battling a blaze has been identified as a grandfather and former member of the Hartford Fire Department.  Robert "Sharky" Sharkevich Sr., age 66, was working as a member of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department on Tuesday, Oct. 22, fighting a brush fire that had spread to more than 90 acres on Lamentation Mountain in Berlin, Meriden Police said.  Sharkevich and three other firefighters were in Meriden on the southern edge of the blaze, riding a firefighting ATV that flipped around 5:30 p.m.…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
(UPDATE) Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash While Fighting Brush Fire (UPDATE) Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash While Fighting Brush Fire
(Update) Firefighter Killed In ATV Crash While Fighting Brush Fire Update: Authorities have identified the man killed battling the blaze as a 66-year-old retired Hartford firefighter. Click here for more information on him and the crash.  Original: A Connecticut firefighter was killed in an ATV crash while fighting a brush fire in Hartford County on Tuesday, Oct. 22, authorities said.  The Wethersfield firefighter was riding on a firefighting ATV that crashed around 5:30 p.m. in Berlin, where crews are battling a brush fire that has spread to 90 acres on Lamentation Mountain.  The firefighter, whose name has not been released, was on the s…

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
'Trusted Mentor, Loyal Friend': Community Grapples With Firefighter's Death 'Trusted Mentor, Loyal Friend': Community Grapples With Firefighter's Death
'Trusted Mentor, Loyal Friend': Community Grapples With Firefighter's Death A Connecticut community is preparing to bury one of its heroes after the longtime Fairfield County firefighter died earlier this week.  John "JB" Pyrek-Bennett, of Monroe, was just 55 when he died on Monday, Oct. 14, surrounded by his family at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport, his obituary said. His wife of 29 years and three children survive him. Bennett spent his life giving back to his community, his family said. He served as assistant chief of the Glenbrook Fire Department in Stamford and was a lifetime member of the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department.…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
7-Year-Old Killed In House Fire 7-Year-Old Killed In House Fire
7-Year-Old Killed In House Fire A 7-year-old child was killed after they were trapped inside a burning home in New London County Tuesday evening, Oct. 15, authorities said.  Firefighters were called to a home at 83 Summit Street in Norwich just before 5:30 p.m. to reports of a two-story house fire. Multiple 911 calls said a child was trapped inside.  Norwich firefighters were quick to the scene and battled their way inside the burning home and were able to carry the 7-year-old outside, where paramedics were waiting to take the child to Backus Hospital while performing lifesaving measures, authorities said. …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Person Found Dead After House Fire Breaks Out In Quiet CT Neighborhood Person Found Dead After House Fire Breaks Out In Quiet CT Neighborhood
Person Found Dead After House Fire Breaks Out In Quiet CT Neighborhood One person was killed, and another escaped, along with a dog, during a fire at a single-family home in a quiet Connecticut neighborhood. New Update - Fatal Middlefield House Fire: Elementary School Student ID'd As Victim The incident occurred in Middlesex County around 1 a.m., Friday, Sept. 6, on Dwight Drive in Middlefield. According to Middlefield Fire Chief Peter Tyc, the first arriving crews encountered heavy fire. The entire front of the home was engulfed in flames, and one person was reported inside the house. Firefighters initiated an aggressive fire attack and search for th…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Blaze Breaks Out At Fairfield Fire Department Blaze Breaks Out At Fairfield Fire Department
Blaze Breaks Out At Fairfield Fire Department A group of Fairfield County firefighters received the call all dreaded, a blaze at their own station.  The incident took place in the town of Fairfield around 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2 at Station 1 on Reef Road. The crew received the news from Fairfield Fire Marshal, Asst. Fire Chief Phil Higgins as they were returning from a call that he had been alerted to a fire in the kitchen when the heat detectors activated the the building fire alarm. After discovering the source of the fire, a frying pan burning on the stove, Higgins immediately called 911 and requested assistance. Then, wit…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Brush Fire Torches 11 Acres At Former Western Mass Landfill Brush Fire Torches 11 Acres At Former Western Mass Landfill
Brush Fire Torches 11 Acres At Former Western Mass Landfill Firefighters from several departments helped contain an 11-acre brush fire that occurred in Hampshire County Tuesday, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services said in a release.  Granby firefighters responded to the fire in area of a former landfill at 11 New Ludlow Road around 2:35 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12, the department said.  It was soon brought to multiple alarms and required help from several neighboring departments and statewide task forces. Granby Fire Chief Michael O’Neill said the massive blaze was mostly fueled by whipping winds and dry vegetation.  Car 1 and Forestry …

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by David Cifarelli
Police & Fire
Nine Residents Rescued After Apartment Fire Breaks Out In Fairfield County Nine Residents Rescued After Apartment Fire Breaks Out In Fairfield County
Nine Residents Rescued After Apartment Fire Breaks Out In Fairfield County Nine residents and a pet were evacuated from a Fairfield County housing complex due to an apartment fire. The blaze broke out in Norwalk around 11:50 p.m., on Wednesday, July 6. Firefighters responded to a residential apartment fire at 261 Ely Ave., at the Roodner Court Housing complex, said Deputy Chief Michael McCallum. Once on the scene, firefighters found a fire in Building 18 apartment 2B, and quickly removed the nine residents and one pet from the area, McCallum said. The fire was placed under control 26 minutes after arrival.  The Red Cross was notified to care for residents …

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by Kathy Reakes
Obituaries
Connecticut Fire Department Mourning After Captain Dies Of Cancer Connecticut Fire Department Mourning After Captain Dies Of Cancer
Connecticut Fire Department Mourning After Captain Dies Of Cancer A Connecticut fire department is mourning the death of a fire captain who served the department for 27 years. Rocky Hill Fire Captain James Lamarre died after a months-long battle with cancer, the Hartford County department announced on Tuesday, March 8. The Rocky Hill Fire Department said Lamarre's cancer was work-related. Lamarre served many roles in his years with the fire department, including a career apparatus mechanic, officials said.  Lamarre was also a United States Army veteran and a chaplain for the Benino-Beck VFW Post 2138 in Rocky Hill.

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by Nicole Valinote
Police & Fire
Firefighters Battle Commercial Blaze In Freezing Temperatures In Fairfield County Firefighters Battle Commercial Blaze In Freezing Temperatures In Fairfield County
Firefighters Battle Commercial Blaze In Freezing Temperatures In Fairfield County Firefighters in Fairfield County battled a heavy fire in a commercial building in below-freezing temperatures and icy conditions. The Norwalk Fire Department responded to a commercial structure fire around 6 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 19, at the Norwalk Linen building located at 7 Reynolds St.  When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found heavy smoke and fire pushing from the building, said Deputy Fire Chief Edward Prescott, of the Norwalk Fire Department. The fire scene.Norwalk Fire Department Firefighters entering the building encountered heavy fire and advanced multiple hose lines …

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Fire Breaks Out At Large Estate In Fairfield County Fire Breaks Out At Large Estate In Fairfield County
Fire Breaks Out At Large Estate In Fairfield County Firefighters were able to extinguish a fire at a large estate in Fairfield County without any injuries to residents. The blaze broke out at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 20 at the residence on Hillpoint Road in Westport. According to Assistant Chief Matthew Cohen, of the Westport Fire Department, first arriving units found flames coming from the roof of the home and immediately called for additional backup. Firefighters at work.Westport Fire Department Firefighters inside encountered smoke on the second floor and worked to gain access to the fire and located the fire in an enclosed attic a…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Fire At Fairfield County Home Causes 'Significant' Damage Fire At Fairfield County Home Causes 'Significant' Damage
Fire At Fairfield County Home Causes 'Significant' Damage Multiple fire crews worked to extinguish a large fire that significantly damaged an unoccupied Fairfield County home. Authorities received a report of heavy smoke and a possible large open burn at a home in Stamford at about 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2, according to the Stamford Fire Department. The fire was reported in the area of 579 Erskine Road. Fire officials said Long Ridge Fire Department arrived first and found flames visible from the attic and roof of the residence.  A number of Stamford engine and ladder companies responded from the Long Ridge Fire Department, Stamford Fire …

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by Nicole Valinote
Police & Fire
Firefighter Hospitalized After Blaze Breaks Out At Home In Fairfield County Firefighter Hospitalized After Blaze Breaks Out At Home In Fairfield County
Firefighter Hospitalized After Blaze Breaks Out At Home In Fairfield County A firefighter was hospitalized after battling a blaze at a home in Fairfield County. The Stamford Fire Department reported that 26 personnel initially responded to the fire that broke out at the residence located at 45 Reynolds Avenue on Saturday, Aug. 28. The first-arriving companies from the Woodside Fire Station arrived at the scene at about 10 p.m. The fire was in the deck area and spread to the rear of the home into the attic. Officials said the home was not occupied at the time. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the rear deck and attic.  Due to a number of ino…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Lamont Orders Flags At Half-Staff For Firefighter Who Died After Falling Ill At Scene Of Blaze Lamont Orders Flags At Half-Staff For Firefighter Who Died After Falling Ill At Scene Of Blaze
Lamont Orders Flags At Half-Staff For Firefighter Who Died After Falling Ill At Scene Of Blaze Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has ordered that US and state flags be lowered to half-staff to honor a 26-year-old firefighter who died after falling ill while responding to a three-alarm blaze. Lamont directed flags to be lowered until the date of Colin McFadden's burial, which has not been determined yet.  Related - Firefighter Dies After Collapsing At Scene Of Litchfield County Blaze The Burlington Fire Department reported that McFadden suffered a medical emergency while responding to the fire in Litchfield County in the Town of New Hartford at about 2:30 a.m. Tues…

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by Nicole Valinote
Obituaries
Firefighter Dies Two Days After Collapsing At Scene Of Three-Alarm CT Blaze Firefighter Dies Two Days After Collapsing At Scene Of Three-Alarm CT Blaze
Firefighter Dies Two Days After Collapsing At Scene Of Three-Alarm CT Blaze A 26-year-old Connecticut firefighter who suffered a medical emergency while fighting a fire has died. Colin McFadden suffered a medical emergency while battling a three-alarm fire in Litchfield County, in the Town of New Hartford, around 2:30 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 10 said, Jon Barbagallo, public information officer for Norfolk said. He died on Thursday, Aug. 12, the Burlington Fire Department said. "Today we mourn the passing of Burlington Firefighter and Bristol resident Colin McFadden," the department said late Thursday afternoon in a statement. "Our condolences go out to our ne…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
One Critically Injured After Three-Alarm Fire Breaks Out At Condo Complex In Fairfield County One Critically Injured After Three-Alarm Fire Breaks Out At Condo Complex In Fairfield County
One Critically Injured After Three-Alarm Fire Breaks Out At Condo Complex In Fairfield County One person is in critical condition following a three-alarm fire at a Fairfield County townhouse. The fire started around 8:15 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 30, at the Sterling Townhouse Complex off of Nabby Road in Danbury, said James Gagliardo, communication coordinator for the Danbury Fire Department.  First arriving firefighters were met with a large column of smoke and a second alarm was transmitted, Gagliardo said. Upon arrival, crews were faced with a large amount of fire from the garage of a 2-and-half story wood frame condo end unit requiring a third alarm response, Gagliardo said. Crew…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Photos: Fiery Four-Car Crash Takes Down Three Utility Poles In Norwalk Photos: Fiery Four-Car Crash Takes Down Three Utility Poles In Norwalk
Photos: Fiery Four-Car Crash Takes Down Three Utility Poles In Norwalk A multi-car crash took out three utility poles and caused a massive car fire in Fairfield County, sending four to the hospital. First responders in Norwalk were dispatched to a reported motor vehicle fire on Connecticut Avenue after four cars were involved in a crash at approximately noon on Thursday, July 30. Norwalk Fire Chief Stephen Shay said that one car took out all three utility poles, and the high tension wires surrounded the car and it burst into flames. The two occupants of the vehicle were able to get out with the assistance of nearby bystanders. Firefighters had to wait for cre…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Religious Artifacts Saved During Fire At Church In Bridgeport Religious Artifacts Saved During Fire At Church In Bridgeport
Religious Artifacts Saved During Fire At Church In Bridgeport Firefighters were able to save religious artifacts for parishioners during a fire at a Fairfield County church. The fire, at the Greater St. John Fire-Baptized Holiness Church, at 804 Fairfield Ave., in Bridgeport, was reported around 11:20 p.m., Thursday, said Scott Appleby, director of the city's Office of Emergency Management.  Arriving firefighters found a working fire, but were able to extinguish without any injuries, Appleby said. During the fire, Appleby said firefighters were able to save religious artifacts found on the first floor.  The extent of damage to th…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Photos: Massive Marsh Fire Causes Delays On Metro-North Trains In Fairfield County Photos: Massive Marsh Fire Causes Delays On Metro-North Trains In Fairfield County
Photos: Massive Marsh Fire Causes Delays On Metro-North Trains In Fairfield County A massive marsh fire delayed Metro-North train service for nearly two hours and injured three firefighters. The blaze broke out around 8:45 p.m., Sunday, June 21, when the Fairfield Emergency Communications Center received a call from a resident on Chestnut Street in Fairfield regarding a fire in their backyard. Fairfield firefighters responded and when on the scene could see a large column of smoke and fire in the area and called for backup, said Fairfield Fire Department Lt. Robert Smith. Units, under the command of Assistant Chief Erik Kalapir,  immediately deployed hand lines to prote…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Man Accused Of Starting Fires At Two CT Homes, Police Say Man Accused Of Starting Fires At Two CT Homes, Police Say
Man Accused Of Starting Fires At Two CT Homes, Police Say As firefighters responded to three house fires, police arrested a 36-year-old man for allegedly starting two of the blazes. The call for the first fire was received around 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 17, in Litchfield County, at a two-story, cape style single-family home in Torrington, said Torrington Police Lt. Brett Johnson. When the Torrington Fire Department arrived on the scene of the fire on Torrinford West Street, they found the residence fully engulfed in flames, as well as a Honda vehicle in the driveway, Torrington Fire Chief Peter Towey said. Towey said a report a person inside …

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Cause Of House Fire Under Investigation In Fairfield County Cause Of House Fire Under Investigation In Fairfield County
Cause Of House Fire Under Investigation In Fairfield County Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish a fire found in a wall of a home in the area. The call for the fire in the Fairfield County home came in around 8:32 p.m., Tuesday, June 2, on Turkey Hill Lane in Westport, said Assistant Fire Chief Jeffrey Gootman. Westport firefighters responded with four engines, a ladder truck, Gootman said. "Arriving units found smoke in the basement and the first floor," he said. A further investigation found a fire in a wall on the first floor. Access was made to the wall and the fire was quickly extinguished. The cause of the fire is under investi…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
Firefighters Save The Day, Rescue Baby Owls Who Fell Out Of Nest Firefighters Save The Day, Rescue Baby Owls Who Fell Out Of Nest
Firefighters Save The Day, Rescue Baby Owls Who Fell Out Of Nest You never know what a day's work will bring as a firefighter from fighting fires to vehicle crashes to saving baby owls stuck in a tree. That's what firefighters in Trumbull from Long Hill Fire were doing on Wednesday, April 29, when a Trumbull Animal Control officer asked for help to save several baby owls, the department said on Facebook. The 'momma' owl waited patiently for her babies to be rescued.Long Hill Volunteer Fire Company The department brought out their long ladder truck to help save the baby owls that had fallen out of their nest in a nearby tree.  Long Hill firefighters,…

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by Kathy Reakes