WTNH
Scene of explosion, fire.
New Haven cops pitched in Wednesday night with the aftermath of an explosion in North Haven that injured members of that town’s police force.
The incident unfolded on Quinnipiac Avenue in North Haven, where an explosion occurred during a standoff between that town’s cops and a barricaded man. Nine officers were reported injured in the incident.
Shortly before 9 p.m., New Haven sent “10 to 15” officers to help out at the request of North Haven’s department, according to New Haven Police Chief Anthony Campbell.
He said members of the contingent includes members of the bomb squad, and Assistant Chiefs Tony Reyes and Herb Johnson as well as Nicholas Marcucio, who oversees the emergency services unit.
At 9:15 p.m. Campbell said the New Haven officers were standing by the periphery of the scene while the barricaded man’s house was burning.
New Haven’s fire department also sent a crew to the scene.
Meanwhile, other New Haven police officers were dispatched to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where injured police officers were taken for treatment, Campbell said.
WTNH reported Thursday morning that the number of New Haven cops dispatched to the scene ended up numbering more like 30, part of a multi-jurisdictional response of some 100 officers. The station reported that a man at the house had kept his wife hostage for three days, and that she finally escaped.
Update: On Thursday State Trooper Kelly Grant sent this release about the incident:
Connecticut State Police detectives from the Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit (FEIU) and Central District Major Crime (CDMC) are investigating a fatal explosion that occurred at a North Haven residence.
On May 2, 2018 at approximately 2:00 p.m., the North Haven Police Department initiated an investigation following a reported domestic disturbance at 385 Quinnipiac Ave., North Haven. Through the course of the investigation officers developed information that determined a tactical team response was needed due to there being a barricaded male suspect at the residence.
A regional tactical team, consisting of North Haven police officers and police officers from surrounding towns, responded to the scene and attempted to enter the residence and make contact with the suspect. As tactical team members where attempting to enter the residence, a large explosion occurred. As a result of the explosion 9 police officers from the tactical team were injured. The injured tactical team officers were transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital for the evaluation of non-life-threatening injuries. The Connecticut State Police Tactical Unit responded to the scene and assumed tactical response duties.
Connecticut State Police detectives from FEIU and CDMC also responded and assumed the investigation. FEIU detectives will assist CDMC detectives in the investigation by determining the cause and origin of the explosion and fire.
Once the fire was extinguished by the North Haven Fire Department, detectives searched the fire scene and located the remains of one person.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) will conduct a post-mortem examination to determine the identity of the deceased, and cause and manner of death. The identity of the deceased is pending identification and next of kin notification.
The Connecticut State Police Bomb Squad and New Haven Police Department Bomb Squad also responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.
During the barricaded suspect investigation and subsequent explosion, residents were asked to shelter in place. The shelter in place has since been lifted, however residents are asked to remain vigilant.
The investigation remains active.
