Above is dispatch audio from the tragic fire in Bridgeport. You will hear a disptatcher dealing with the report of a mayday at about 3:40 in the clip.
Click here for more video from the scene and interviews with officials
Previous coverage from STATter911.com
Here is the latest on what is known in excerpts from an article by Daniel Tepfer at CTPost.com:
(Chief Brian) Rooney said there is always a danger when responding to a fire at any of the hundreds of wood-frame multi-family homes that make up city neighborhoods. Because of their balloon-style construction, fire gets between the walls a spread directly to the upper floor and roof. But, he said, in most cases the blazes are put down quickly and everyone goes home.
But not this time.
“We are still in shock and disbelief,” he added.
What is known is that Lt. Steven Velasquez, a 16-year veteran of the fire department, and Firefighter Michel Baik, a rookie of two years, were sent to the third floor of the building at 41 Elmwood Ave. to rip down the ceiling to root out any hidden hot spots and to search for anyone still trapped in the building.
“They were doing something that is quite routine,” Rooney continued, looking very grim. “Something obviously went wrong.”
Another firefighter who got to the scene saw that Velasquez and Baik were in trouble and called a “mayday,” which Rooney said brought an immediate response from the rapid intervention team waiting outside the building.
“The two men were brought out and they worked on them trying to revive them but were unsuccessful,” he said.
Also on STATter911 …
- NIOSH says Bridgeport FD failed to respond to mayday calls in double LODDs. Many failures cited in deaths of Lt. Steve Velasquez & FF Michel Baik. – June 30, 2011
- Connecticut OSHA finds 5 serious violations in deaths of two Bridgeport firefighters. 2010 fire killed Lt. Steven Velasquez & Firefighter Michael Baik. – February 11, 2011
- Pre-arrival video, audio & mayday: Three-alarm townhouse fire in Brandywine Hundred, Delaware. Structural collapse. – December 19, 2011
- Fireground audio: Mayday in Toronto after firefighter falls through floor of burning storage facility. Five-alarm fire burns overnight. – January 10, 2012
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When All is Over
When all is over
the time comes to you.
When the others have fallen asleep
you still lay awake.
When all is over.
When the screams are silenced and the flame extinguished.
When the redglowing ironbeams again are cold.
Then the time comes to you.
You who were there,
you who saw,
you who heard,
you who saw hopelessness in the eyes.
You who saved lives.
When all is over
thoughts appear,
emptiness, doubt,
if I…
if I didn’t…
I just…
if I only…
Then the time comes to you.
When all is over.
When the last flash is out,
the last memorial speech are held,
the last assurances given…
the time comes to you.
You who were there.
When all is over
you will experience the moment
again and again.
Ask the same question
for the thousand time:
Could I have done anything different?
When all is over
you should know
that we know you did what
was in your power
when the time came to you.
When all is over
you should know
that we thank you.
Thank you for choosing
to make it your profession
to save life.
When all is over
it may not be over
for you.
May Steven and Michael rest in the arms of our Lord. And may their brothers and sisters in the Service find peace in the days to come. And may God have mercy on everyone who struggles to aid others in their plights…Amen
It looks like that Mayor does gives a SH** about those 2 guys. He seemed really broken up about their loss. It’s a shame what happened. Prayers to both their families and the whole Department.
MAY BOTH OF THESE BROTHERS REST IN PEACE.
The mayor wants to lay off 21 FFs from this dept. !
Rest in peace brothers