CT Firefighter Returns to Work a Year to the Day after Injury

A year ago, a Meriden firefighter suffered severe third-degree burns on his leg, tore muscles in his shoulder and chest trying to escape a structure fire. To the day, on Sept. 22,  he returned to his job having recovered from the injuries.

According to the local newspaper the Record Journal, Rob Rochette was consumed in a fireball while fighting a building fire on Main Street in Meriden. A door on the first floor collapse, blew open and sent a fireball at Rochette and fellow firefighters.

The ensuing fire spread burned through a hose, cutting off water supply leaving only enough to spray the ceiling creating a means for the firefighters to escape, the newspaper reported. In all three firefighters were hurt. Rochette also suffered less severe burns to his wrist and ear.

An investigation revealed issues with dispatching caused a delay allowing the fire to advance, the paper reported.

For his first day back on the job, Rochette packed up, and participated in a mock rescue in a smoke filled apartment building, the paper reported.

“It was easy to get back into it,” Rochette told the paper after a couple of hours of intense training.