VIDEO: A community has been mourning the death of a volunteer firefighter who was killed Sunday morning during a house fire response in Plainville. Raymond โRayโ Moreau, age 60, died from being struck by a piece of fire apparatus as he worked at the scene of a fire on Maria Road around 6:30 a.m. โA piece of the firetruck broke free of the apparatus and struck firefighter Moreau, causing catastrophic injuries to his leg,โ said Capt. Kate Coney, Connecticut State Police. Authorities could not confirm what part of the truck caused the deadly injury. Moreau was rushed to the hospital where he later died in surgery.
Officials said he served the Plainville Fire Department for 35 years as a volunteer. He was also a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Town and state officials described his death as a heartbreaking loss for the entire state. โThis person is a volunteer. They volunteer their time to do a job which is not a safe job. They put their lives on a line they do it for years and years,โ said Chief Christopher Vanghele, Plainville Police Department. โWhenever there is a death like that itโs the death of a hero.โ
A growing memorial of flowers, wreaths, and flags at half-staff stood outside the Plainville Fire Department on Monday as residents and fellow firefighters paid tribute. Black bunting was draped across the building, and a photo of Moreau was illuminated outside the Plainville Municipal Center for passersby to reflect on. โThis is a tremendous loss for this community, tragic loss. Thirty-five years is a lot to give to a community and he did it with dignity and honor,โ said Michael Paulhus, Plainville town manager. The news of Moreauโs death stunned the tight-knit Plainville community. โIโm in shock. Thatโs crazy. I feel bad for what theyโre going through. I send my condolences to the Plainville and all the fire departments in Connecticut,โ said Paige Varricchio from Plainville.
Gov. Ned Lamont directed flags to be flown at half-staff across the state in Moreauโs honor. โThis community will come together. This community will heal, but we have a fallen hero to recognize today,โ added Paulhus. The fire destroyed the home on Maria Road, but all occupants safely escaped. No other injuries were reported. State police, OSHA, and fire investigators said they were working to determine the cause of the blaze and the equipment failure that led to Moreauโs death. The Town of Plainville planned to host a ceremony in honor of Moreau on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Plainville High Schoolโs Tinty Stadium.
