Hospitalized Firefighter ​“Steadily Improving”

Fire Lt. Samond Rankins’s condition is improving as he remains hospitalized a day and a half after a Valley Street fire that led to the death of one of his colleagues, Ricardo Torres Jr.

Assistant Fire Chief Justin McCarthy gave that update Thursday afternoon during a press conference at New Haven Fire Department headquarters at 942 Grand Ave.

McCarthy said that Rankins — known by friends as ​“Nuke” — is still at Bridgeport Hospital’s burn unit following injuries he sustained while responding with fellow city firefighters to an overnight fire at 190 Valley St. on Wednesday. That same fire led to the death of Torres and injured two fellow city firefighters, Tyrone Reed and Tyler Skolnik, who all helped rescue two occupants of the two-family house.

McCarthy said Thursday that Fire Chief John Alston is currently in Bridgeport with Rankins and his family.

While the city firefighter lieutenant’s condition ​“has been steadily improving,” McCarthy said, ​“his family is requesting that prayers continue.”

Rankins was reportedly put in a medically induced coma after arriving at the hospital on Wednesday.

In a city email sent out Thursday, Mayor Justin Elicker wrote that Rankins ​“suffered significant injuries [during the Valley Street fire], but we are grateful that he is now listed in stable but critical condition as he begins his arduous journey toward recovery.”

Click here to read more on Rankins’ condition in a story by the New Haven Register’s Pam McGloughlin.

McCarthy also said on Thursday that the department has been in continual contact with Torres’s family, and is ​“asking for privacy as they grieve.” (Click here for a GoFundMe account set up to help Torres’s family.)

“The department has received overwhelming support from around the country,” McCarthy continued, in the wake of Torres’s death. ​“The only thing that we ask is that members of the public stay away from the Valley Street area as the investigation continues.”

“This is a tough time for all of us. On behalf of the NHFD, I want to say thank you to everyone.”

On social media, meanwhile, New Haveners continued to weigh in with thoughts, prayers, condolences, and grief over Torres’s death and Rankins’s hospitalization.

“I can’t even begin to explain what I’m feeling today since getting the news about our beloved Nuke, our HERO by innate design,” New Haven State Rep. Robyn Porter wrote in one such post. ​“Please join me and so many others as we flood the heavens and this atmosphere with prayers for Nuke’s miraculous healing, and unsurpassed peace and comfort for his family as we touch and agree that IT IS DONE, in the Mighty, Matchless, and Merciful Name of Jesus Christ. Thanking and praising our God in advance for our answered prayers.”

And in that same Thursday email, Elicker referred to Torres as ​“a father, son, husband, brother and hero. His loss is yet another sad and painful reminder of the overwhelming debt we all owe New Haven’s first responders.”

State Investigators On The Scene

The assistant city fire chief also reported that the Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit is taking the lead in investigating what caused the 190 Valley St. fire and what led to the tragic death of Torres and hospitalization of Rankins.

State Police Sgt. Paul Makuc (pictured) said that the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office asked his unit to oversee the investigation into the fire in conjunction with city police, firefighters, and the city fire marshal’s office.

Makuc said his unit has ​“secured the scene,” and that there are detectives out there right now. ​“That area is closed off as we continue to process the scene.”

He said the investigation will likely last several days.

“These incidents require a lot of interviews with the responding personnel, the firefighters who were fighting the fire and trying to save one of their own. We’re working around the clock.”

City Account Of 190 Valley St. Fire

See below for the full text of a detailed narrative sent out by the city fire department Wednesday night about what transpired during the 190 Valley St. fire.

At approximately 12:45 am on May 12th, multiple 911 calls were placed reporting a fire and people trapped at 190 Valley Street, a 2‑family home. Companies arrived within one minute and reported heavy fire and occupants trapped. Crews began search, rescue, and fire suppression activities. During rescue operations, 2 occupants were located and removed from the home. 1 victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The second victim was treated on scene and released.

A 2nd alarm was called at 1:15 am. At 1:22 am a MAYDAY was transmitted over the department radio for a firefighter lost and disoriented on the 2nd floor. A rescue team was activated, and 2 fire personnel were found unconscious on the second floor. Members of various companies worked under intense conditions to get the members to safety. Both were removed from the home, Firefighter Ricardo Torres, Jr. succumbed to his injuries. Lt. Samod Rankins was transported to Bridgeport Burn Unit with significant injuries. Two additional firefighters were injured and transported to the hospital. Both Firefighter Tyrone Reed and Tyler Skolnik have been treated and released. The fire was reported to be under control at 3:23 am.

Firefighter Torres was hired on July 2019 and served for two years at Engine 6. Lt. Rankins was hired February 2018 and was promoted in March 2021 to Lt. and serves at Engine 6.

Two occupants were displaced and are currently being assisted by the American Red Cross.

The fire remains under investigation by the New Haven Fire Marshal’s, CT Fire and Explosive Investigation Unit, and Connecticut States Attorney’s Office.

Click on the Facebook Live video below to watch Thursday’s press conference in full.