By Justin Muszynski
Hartford Courant
NEWTOWN, Conn. — A police officer was hit by a fire truck at a house fire in Newtown on Tuesday which landed a resident in the hospital for smoke inhalation and led to five other officers suffering injuries.
Police officers first responded to the home on Parmalee Hill Road around 1 p.m. for a well-being check and found the residence in disrepair, according to Lt. Scott P. Smith of the Newtown Police Department.
Smith said police spoke to the resident through a closed door as the occupant was in the kitchen. During their conversation, officers noticed a fire and a large amount of smoke coming from the stove.
Police forced their way into the residence and were obstructed by what was described as hoarding conditions, according to Smith. After several minutes, officers were able to get the resident out of the home.
The individual was taken in an ambulance to an area hospital to be evaluated for smoke inhalation and other injuries, Smith said.
At the scene, where fire crews also responded, an officer was hit by an unoccupied fire engine when it slid in the snow-covered driveway as the policeman was walking alongside the parked truck, according to Smith. The officer was taken to the hospital and released after being treated for minor injuries.
Five officers were evaluated at the scene for complaints ranging from smoke inhalation to falls, Smith said.
“The officers on scene worked through extreme conditions without regard for their own safety in order to protect the health and well-being of this Newtown resident,” Smith said in a statement.
The home was condemned after representatives from the town building department and the Newtown Fire Marshal’s Office responded. Smith said officials also made referrals to the health department and social service agencies.
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