A 35-year veteran of the Plainville Fire Department was killed while at the scene of a house fire on Sunday morning.
Emergency crews were called to a house fire on Maria Road around 6:20 a.m. Multiple fire units from the fire department quickly arrived on scene.
Emergency crews were called to a house fire around 6:20 a.m. Multiple fire units from the fire department quickly arrived on scene.
At one point, heavy flames could be seen coming from the home. The damage appears to be extensive.
State police said 60-year-old volunteer firefighter Raymond “Ray” Moreau was working on scene and was standing outside the home near a fire apparatus when a piece of the fire truck broke free and hit Moreau.
According to state police, the piece of the fire truck caused catastrophic injuries to his legs. He was transported to the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain, where he died in surgery.
Moreau was described as a 35-year veteran of the Plainville Fire Department, who has volunteered tens of thousands of hours to the community.
“The only thing I’ll say is, this person’s a volunteer. They volunteer their time to do a job. Job, which is not a safe job. They put their lives on the line, and they do it for years and years and years. So whenever there’s a death like that, it’s a death of a hero. And I want to you know, my hearts go up to the family for that sacrifice, for that loved one,” said Plainville Police Chief Christopher Vanghele.
In addition to being a volunteer firefighter, Moreau was a loving husband and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.
“The loss of Moreau cuts like a knife at the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. This isn’t merely a job or a hobby, being a volunteer firefighter. It is a calling. And Moreau answered the call. As Commissioner, I am deeply, deeply grateful for the sacrifices of our first responders, each and every one of them. Nothing, nothing hurts more than the ultimate sacrifice that was witnessed in the Town of Plainville here today,” said Ronnell Higgins, the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Governor Ned Lamont has directed all U.S. and state flags in Connecticut be lowered to half-staff in honor of firefighter Moreau. Flags should be lowered immediately and will remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment.
“It is with extreme sadness today that we mourn the life of Plainville Firefighter Raymond Moreau, who selflessly put his life on the line to serve and protect his community. Today’s tragedy is another reminder about the extraordinary risk that firefighters face as part of their duties, and they are heroes for assuming these responsibilities,” Governor Lamont said in a statement in part.
The family who lives at the home was able to escape from the fire and is currently being helped by the Red Cross.
Both Moreau’s death and the cause of the house fire remain under investigation.
The Connecticut State Police Major Crimes will be the primary investigating agency with help from the state police fire explosion investigative unit and collision analyst and reconstruction squad. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the state’s attorney’s office are also part of the investigation. The investigation is expected to be lengthy.
from Local – NBC4 Washington https://ift.tt/eOBYt2k
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