Conn. Firefighter Struck in Head With Tool at Blaze

March 06--NORWALK -- A firefighter was injured while battling an electrical fire that displaced two East Norwalk families Tuesday afternoon.

Firefighters were called just before 1 p.m. to a report of a fire on the second floor of a Gregory Boulevard home. A family on the second floor and the owner on the first floor of the duplex were evacuated without injury, Fire Marshall Glenn Iannaccone said.

Off-duty fire Capt. Read Auerbach, who lives in East Norwalk, drove by the home and saw smoke coming from the porch, said Deputy Chief Gino Gatto. Auerbach ran into the house and was able to get everyone safely out, Gatto said

One firefighter was injured when he was struck in the jaw and knocked out while on the roof of the two-story house located at 14 Gregory Boulevard, Iannaccone said. The firefighter was taken to the hospital where he is being treated for his injuries.

Gatto said a firefighter stripping the siding off the house lost control of his tool, which struck the firefighter in the temple and jaw. The firefighter, who was on a roof parallel to the porch, was held by surrounding firefighters and did not fall to the ground. The firefighter is in stable condition, Gatto said.

Iannaccone said that the fire began inside the wall on the second-floor porch in the front of the house. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, Iannaccone said.

Gatto said firefighters were able to stop the fire at the porch and did not allow it into the house. He said walls and ceilings had to be opened up on the second floor to ensure the fire did not get inside.

Because of electrical problems in the house, it is being taken off the power grid and will be posted unfit for occupancy. Iannaccone said damage to the house appeared minor.

Seven people will be displaced by the fire, he said. The American Red Cross will help find them temporary shelter.

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