Fire Department Responds to Building Collapse

At 1058 hrs. the Milford Fire Department received a 911 telephone call for a reported building collapse with people trapped and injured at 282 Woodmont Road. Immediately a first alarm assignment consisting of Engines 1, 7, 5, Tower 1, Rescue 1, Technical Rescue Unit 234 and the Shift Commander were dispatched.

On arrival Battalion Chief Bernie Begley encountered a commercial building of ordinary construction that had totally collapsed, initial reports were people were trapped and injured. Also on investigation it was found that the natural gas service to the building had been damaged and was leaking. Fire Department personnel quickly using combustible gas meters secured the scene and began the search for trapped and injured occupants.

The injured and evacuated were moved to a triage area and were evaluated with the assistance of American Medical Response personnel. It was determined that 4 people had been initially trapped inside the structure after the collapse but were able to self-extricate themselves by climbing over and under debris piles. These people were evaluated and two occupants were transported to Milford Hospital for evaluation of minor injuries.

Assistance was requested from the Connecticut Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Taskforce from Hartford. The US&R Taskforce responded with a canine search component for assistance with the search of the building. After discussion with the building occupants, it was determined that everyone was accounted for.

Local buildings and business were evacuated for safety concerns due to the leaking natural gas. All utilities companies have responded to the scene and secured the utilities from the effected structures.

During the reconnaissance of the building, it was found out that the building contained a large amount of hazardous materials that are used in a chemical plating process. The Department of Environmental Protection was the scene and provided assistance to the Milford Hazardous Material Team. Currently a private clean up company was being requested to the scene.

Tomorrow, building officials will be on the scene and evaluating the structural integrity of the damaged buildings.