Firefighters Injured In 2-Alarm Fire In Hamden: Officials

HAMDEN, CT — Two firefighters were hospitalized and four police officers were treated for smoke inhalation after helping rescue residents from a two-alarm fire at an apartment complex Wednesday afternoon in Hamden, according to officials. Three residents were also hospitalized for smoke inhalation, officials said.

Emergency crews responded to the two-alarm fire at the Broadmoor Apartments, 680 Mix Ave., around 2:25 p.m. on Sept. 30. The four police officers were the first to arrive and entered the complex multiple times to evacuate several residents from the smoke-filled hallways and stairwells of the six-story building, according to Fire Marshal Brian Dolan.

All four police officers were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, Dolan said.

Firefighters arrived around 2:30 p.m. and “encountered heavy fire” in a basement storage area, according to Dolan.

“The fire started in a large industrial trash bin and spread to three adjacent bins,” Dolan wrote in a news release. “The fire followed a pipe chase to two apartments immediately above the storage area. Firefighters overhauled partition walls in the apartments to extinguish the fire hidden within the walls. Crews then ventilated smoke from all six floors of the apartment building.”

Residents were able to return to their homes around 5:30 p.m.

Firefighters rescued two residents who weren’t able to walk while the fire was being knocked down. Three residents were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.

Two firefighters were taken to the hospital, including one with first-degree burns, according to Dolan. Two other firefighters suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene, Dolan said.

Hamden received mutual aid from area fire departments. An engine company and battalion chief from the New Haven Fire Department assisted at the scene. Companies from the Bethany, Cheshire, and North Haven Fire Departments covered fire stations in Hamden and responded to emergency calls during the fire, according to Dolan.

The American Red Cross provided assistance and accommodations to four residents displaced by the fire.