Hamden Teen Helps Neighbor Extinguish Fire

A Hamden teenager was recognized by firefighters for helping a neighbor extinguish an oven fire in an apartment building over the weekend.

Brandon Sealey, 15, a freshman at Hamden High School, was honored for his alert and quick actions in helping a neighbor.

Hamden Central Communications received a 911 call reporting an alarm activation and an uncontained oven fire in a Town Walk Drive apartment complex at about 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30.

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Brandon was riding his bike in the rear of the building at about the same time, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Merwede said in a press release.

Brandon heard the sound of an activated smoke detector and saw light smoke coming from the sliding doors leading to the deck of the apartment with the oven fire. He ran to his first floor apartment and retrieved a fire extinguisher, giving it to his adult neighbor from the affected apartment, according to Merwede.

As the Hamden Fire Department arrived in the complex, the fire was extinguished without extension. Lt. Naples from Squad 1 confirmed the fire was extinguished and ventilated the building prior to allowing residents to return.

For his willingness to help a neighbor and quick actions that led to the extinguishment of an incipient fire, Brandon was recognized by the firefighters at Station 4 when he visited with his parents on Monday.

“Smoke detectors, properly maintained alarm systems, and portable fire extinguishers can save lives and property,” Merwede said. “Never reenter a smoke filled building to attempt to extinguish a fire. The positive outcome at this call was due to quick action of an alert high school student within a minute of the smoke detector activation.”

Pictured: Brandon appears next to HFD Squad 1 and Firefighter / Paramedic Kevin Martin, who was the pump operator at the call on Sunday.