New Haven Independent

Firefighters Rescue Six

by Melissa Bailey | November 3, 2008 5:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Firefighters rescued a woman who had fallen unconscious in a smoke-filled hallway after trying to flee her burning home.

The two-alarm fire and dramatic rescue took place Saturday morning at 280 Winthrop Ave.

Firefighters responded to that address at 11:33 a.m., according to Assistant Fire Chief Ralph Black. A fire was roaring in a second-floor apartment. When firefighters entered an internal staircase, they found a woman passed out on a landing. She had no pulse. She wasn’t breathing. Firefighters carried her out of the building and managed to resuscitate her. She was treated for minor burns, Black said.

Meanwhile, five people were standing in a window on the second floor calling out for help. Smoke was pouring out of the window. Firefighters propped a ladder up to the house and rescued three children and two adults.

All five were treated for smoke inhalation at a nearby hospital. A firefighter was taken to the hospital, too, after he fell down a staircase and hurt his back.

Black credited the work of Engine 9 and Squad 2 of Ellsworth Avenue, as well as Truck 4 of Goffe Street, for taming the fire within 20 minutes. The fire does not appear to be suspicious, Black said. The flames were contained to a single room of origin, he said, though smoke damage did spread outside that room through an open door.

“The firefighters did a tremendous job,” Black said. Taking the woman out when they did saved the woman’s life, he said.

Bike Crash

A 39-year-old motorcyclist was left in critical condition after he slammed his bike into a parked mini-van at a high rate of speed, police said. The crash happened at South Genessee Street at around 3 p.m. Saturday. Police said the driver sustained serious injuries, but was expected to survive.

Police report three shootings and several muggings this weekend. Click here for a list of crimes from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. Click on the image below to see those crimes placed on a city-wide map.

For block-by-block year-to-date crime info, check the Independent’s crime log. The link also takes you to an archive of daily maps.

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Comments

Posted by: pizza freak | November 3, 2008 5:56 PM

Great Job to New Haven Firefighters who made the rescues. No Intention to take away from these great efforts but were any firefighters involved denied promotions when the city scuttled the exams a few years ago? It amazes me that even when faced with such blatenent disregard for professional qualifications by department and city administration these firefighters still come to work and do thier job, making the difference. Says alot about thier character. Too bad the city can't see that.

Posted by: Deuce | November 4, 2008 8:29 AM

Thank you to New Haven's bravest.

Posted by: LTMIKE | November 4, 2008 6:18 PM

I can honestly say this was one of my proudest days on the department. All companies on scene did an outstanding job, but I would like this opportunitty to thank West Battalion HQ's and Truck 4 personnel for the initial minutes on scene. Everything went text-book smooth, lives were saved and the companies on scene made a difference in numerous lives that day. In addition the fire was held to the studio apartment with no further fire damage to the remaining units. It is a shame that this story recieved so little press while other storys do. 7 lives were saved that day... ranging from young kids, parents, an unconscious woman resuscitated after being removed from a darkened hall outside her apartment. To the New Haven Firefighters it was a proud day and we showed the value of the department to the public. Thanks once again to all those with me that day, I can not say good job enough!

Posted by: Comon Sense | November 5, 2008 7:49 PM

Lt. Mike: At one time the NHFD had a Public Information officer who had a direct link to the news media (newspaper, radio, t.v.). All the fires and emergencies always were reported and followed up by the media. Unfortunately those days are gone and the great work of our firefighters goes unmentioned too many times. We are thankful for the New Haven Independent web site for their great coverage on fires and emergencies from time to time.

Firefighters Rescue Six

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