Cause Of Death, Funeral Services Announced For North Haven Firefighter

NORTH HAVEN, CT — North Haven Firefighter Matthias Wirtz died of heart disease while battling a two-alarm residential fire on Quinnipiac Avenue in North Haven earlier this week, according to officials.

The state Chief Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Wirtz’s cause of death as hypertensive and cardiovascular disease, with additional contributing factors, according to North Haven Fire Chief Paul Januszewski. The manner of death was also listed as natural causes, according to Januszewski.

Funeral arrangements have been announced for Wirtz, 46, who was a 22-year veteran of the North Haven Fire Department.

Calling hours for the public will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 2, at the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Ave., in North Haven. Additional information for parking and shuttles will be released at a later date, according to Januszewski.

Januszewski said Wirtz will be honored with the “Line of Duty Death Funeral Protocol.” The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at Saint Barnabas Church, Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish at 44 Washington Ave. Interment will be private at the family’s request.

The Connecticut State Police Fire Investigation unit, in cooperation with the North Haven Fire Marshal’s Office, conducted an investigation and found that Wirtz was the driver of the first arriving fire apparatus, Engine #9, that responded around 1 a.m. on Dec. 26 to a reported building fire with reports of people inside a multi-family home on Quinnipiac Avenue.

“The officer of Engine #9 reported smoke showing from the rear of the building and initiated an interior fire attack and search of upper floors for trapped victims,” officials wrote in a news release. “Based on the fire conditions, the Engine 9 officer also requested a second-alarm to bring additional personnel and equipment to the scene.

“Weather conditions were below freezing which complicated fire attack operations by causing immediate icing on surfaces, pumps and hose lines. The fire was located on the second and third floors and was rapidly extending to the attic due to the type of construction and weather conditions. The fire had burned through the exterior wall and was visible from the rear.”

An immediate search of the building was simultaneously initiated by North Haven fire and police officers, who helped evacuate all occupants.

“Working with two other members of his engine company that were calling for additional hose to reach the fire inside the building, Firefighter Wirtz assisted with advancing the initial attack hose line from the exterior doorway, connected a large diameter hose line to the pump to prepare for hydrant water and pumped water to the operating hose lines as well as supporting fire ground operations,” the news release states. “During the fire attack, Firefighter Wirtz collapsed to the ground in the presence of another member that was changing out an air bottle to resume fire attack.”

North Haven Fire paramedics treated Wirtz at the scene, along with additional responders from North Haven Fire, East Haven Fire and Nelson Ambulance. Life-saving procedures were attempted both at the scene and en route to the hospital, according to the news release. Wirtz later died at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

“Firefighter Wirtz was actively working under extreme environmental conditions to protect the lives of the occupants and fellow members of his crew inside the building,” Januszewski said. “Firefighter Wirtz remained steadfast at his post ensuring their safety with disregard for his own and is a hero for his actions and ultimate sacrifice for others.”

See also: Obituary: Matthias A. Wirtz, 46, Of North Haven