MONROE, CT — A Monroe volunteer firefighter sustained a “traumatic injury” while battling a residential blaze on Old Zoar Road Saturday evening. Both occupants of the house got out safely on their own before firefighters arrived, though they are now displaced due to the fire damage to their home.
The firefighter fell while opening up the roof over the attic fire with another firefighter, who was not injured.
Monroe Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Catalano said the firefighter’s injuries are not life-threatening, adding he was treated by Monroe Emergency Medical Service personnel and the fire department’s Rapid Intervention Team at the scene and taken to the hospital.
“Our firefighter is currently in stable condition, alert and in good spirits, and is recovering at the hospital,” Catalano said Sunday morning.
The residents secured alternative temporary housing.
At approximately 5 p.m. Saturday, Stevenson, Monroe, and Stepney volunteer firefighters were called to a house fire on Old Zoar Road.
An engine staffed with six firefighters from the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department was returning from another call and arrived quickly to encounter heavy fire coming from the attic of the two-story home. Crews confirmed both occupants got out safely prior to their arrival and were not injured, according to the report.
Firefighters made an aggressive interior attack and contained the fire relatively quickly.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Monroe Fire Marshal’s Office, but initially appears to be electrical in nature, according to Catalano.
“We greatly appreciate the efforts of all who provided excellent medical care and our surrounding agencies for their support and outreach,” Catalano said in a Facebook post Sunday. “In particular Trumbull Center Fire Department for providing us station coverage and helping to get the injured firefighter’s engine and crew’s equipment back into service, and Bridgeport Fire Department for providing coordination assistance at the hospital.”
“We also thank First Selectman Kellogg and Monroe EMS leadership for their support at the hospital,” he said.
Additional firefighters from Huntington and Oxford operated on scene, with other departments mobilizing tankers given this is a non-hydrant area.
“Between Friday and Saturday, this was our 14th call handled including multiple brush fires, motor vehicle collisions and a prolonged operation assisting Shelton Fire Department with an industrial fire,” Catalano said.
