Firefighters were outside of the engine, loading a car onto a flatbed after extinguishing a vehicle fire when the incident occurred at approximately 2:13 a.m., Fire Chief Robert McGrath told the newspaper.
"It's a blessing that nobody was seriously injured," McGrath said. "The truck was basically ripped open, and this could have been a lot worse."
He said the engine is relatively new and is awaiting representatives from the manufacturer to give a full estimate of the damages. The 2005-model truck -- which is 32 feet long and weighs 38,000 pounds -- cost about $360,000.
No firefighters were injured in the crash, State Trooper Thomas Mitri suffered leg lacerations after being hit by debris and was transported to Stamford Hospital and was treated and released.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured and was arrested by state police. and charged with reckless driving.
