Officials in Greenwich, Connecticut have asked an independent panel to review the fire department's operations at a Friday night blaze that left five firefighters injured.
Greenwich Fire Department Chief Daniel Warzoha said the firefighters are recovering well, but the two most seriously injured are still hospitalized. "They are mending well and their spirits are good," the chief said.
According to the Greenwich Time, firefighter Kennard Ray Little and Deputy Chief Mike Puterbaugh were searching for two children believed missing when a flashover forced them to jump from a third-story window. Little fractured his pelvis, three ribs and his wrist, and Puterbaugh broke both legs. Firefighters later learned the missing children had safely escaped the building and were taken from the scene.
The three other injured firefighters were released from Greenwich Hospital Saturday.
Warzoha acknowleged that a review has been ordered, but said he could not discuss that or any details of the Friday night incident because it is still under investigation.
"I can't discuss the panel. I'm not involved in that, it's being handled by the fire commissioner who is also the Mayor," Warzoha said. He added only that the cause of the fire appears to be accidental.
The mayor, First Selectman James Lash, announced the plans for an independent review at a press conference earlier this week.
Warzoha told the Greenwich Time that senior officers from the fire department usually conduct incident reviews of serious fires, but because all of them were involved in fighting the fire, an outside review is warranted.
Lash has asked Fire Chief Edward Richards, president of the Connecticut Career Fire Chiefs Association, to recommend a panel to conduct the review.
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