Bethel, CT - At 1:01 A.M. on the morning of July 13th, the Bethel and Stony Hill Fire Departments were dispatched to a reported structure fire at 182 Greenwood Avenue. The 200'x30', three-story, wood-frame structure was built in 1840, and contained commercial businesses on the first-floor, and apartments above.

With the buildings alarms sounding, one of those awakened was a long-time Bethel volunteer firefighter. Exiting his apartment, he realized his immobile neighbor was still inside. Under heavy fire and smoke conditions, and without the protection of his turnout gear or SCBA, the firefighter disregarded his own safety and made entry, where he found the victim on the floor. He proceeded to drag him out to safety where he was assisted by arriving Bethel Police Officers, who would also go on to evacuate other tenants from the building.

Arriving firefighters were met with heavy fire blowing out of the front windows from the second-floor apartment, rapidly extending up the exterior into the third-floor and attic space. With the possibility of others trapped and heavy volume of fire on arrival, Bethel FD Chief Scott Murphy immediately requested a full first-alarm assignment from the neighboring City of Danbury, who responded with two Engines, one Tower Ladder and one Squad, with Deputy Chief Steve Williams.

After approximately three hours and extensive overhaul, the fire was deemed under control and the scene was turned over to the State Fire Marshal's Office to investigate the cause and origin. Additional mutual aid was provided by Redding, West Redding, Hawleyville, Dodgingtown, Brookfield, Wooster Hose Company, and a crew from New Milford providing station coverage at the Stony Hill firehouse.

Additionally, with the assistance of the Fairfield County Fire Coordinator, relief crews from Shelton (White Hills Ladder-51), Monroe (Stevenson Engine-302), and Trumbull (Long Hill Squad-9) also responded.

The rescued tenant would be transported to the Bridgeport Hospital Burn Center with severe burns. One firefighter would be treated for a hand laceration, while another would be held for observation.