A Connecticut firefighter has died and three others have been injured in a house fire in Hartford.
The firefighter killed was Kevin Bell, 48. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Governor Dannel Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman sent their condolences to the families of the firefighters and called them heroes.
“Tonight’s tragic events are another reminder of the incredible sacrifice that our state’s first responders make on a daily basis,” Malloy said in a statement late on Tuesday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the hero we lost tonight and those who were injured in the line of duty in our capital city.”
Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra said on Tuesday, “Tonight, as a result of a fire on Blue Hills Avenue, we lost one of our brave Hartford firefighters. He lost his life through the heroic action of saving others. We also had three firefighters who suffered injuries. Our hearts are heavy with the knowledge that these brave men and women risk their lives every day to protect our city and our families. The sheer acceptance of this responsibility makes them heroes. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families.”
NBC Connecticut reported the fire broke out about 7:00 pm on Tuesday and residents made it out of the home safely. From their earlier report:
According to state records, the last time a Hartford firefighter died while extinguishing a fire was in 1974. Authorities have not publicly identified the firefighter who died, but said he was a 48-year-old Hartford native and six-year veteran of the fire department. "Our hearts are extremely heavy at this time with the knowledge that these brave men and women risk their lives every day to protect our city," Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra said at the media briefing. "The simple acceptance of that responsibility on its own terms makes them heroes." A second injured firefighter was transferred to Bridgeport Hospital with burns to over 10 percent of his body, according to Segarra. Although his injuries are serious, he's expected to survive. Two other firefighters remain in stable condition at Saint Francis Hospital, authorities said.
A witness told the TV station she saw a firefighter jump out of a window amid billowing, blinding smoke.
The home is located on Blue Hills Avenue near Litchfield Street.
This report includes information from The Associated Press.
