Volunteer firefighter dies during house fire after being struck by broken piece of fire truck

PLAINVILLE, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) - A community in Connecticut is mourning the death of a volunteer firefighter who was killed Sunday morning while responding to a house fire.

Officials said 60-year-old Raymond “Ray” Moreau died after being struck by a piece of fire apparatus as he worked at the scene of a fire on Maria Road in Plainville around 6:30 a.m.

“A piece of the firetruck broke free of the apparatus and struck firefighter Moreau, causing catastrophic injuries to his leg,” Capt. Kate Coney with the Connecticut State Police said.

Authorities said they could not confirm what part of the truck caused the deadly injury.

Moreau was rushed to a hospital where he later died in surgery.

Officials said Moreau 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 Moreau’s death as a heartbreaking loss for the entire state.

“This 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,” Plainville Police Chief Christopher Vanghele said. “Whenever there is a death like that, it’s the death of a hero.”

Residents and fellow firefighters helped grow a memorial of flowers and wreaths outside the Plainville Fire Department Monday, and the flag was flown at half-staff.

Outside the Plainville Municipal Center, black bunting was draped across the building, and a photo of Moreau was illuminated.

“This is a tremendous loss for this community, tragic loss,” Michael Paulhus, Plainville town manager, said. “Thirty-five years is a lot to give to a community, and he did it with dignity and honor.”

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont directed flags to be flown at half-staff across the state in Moreau’s honor.

“This community will come together. This community will heal, but we have a fallen hero to recognize today,” Paulhus said.

The fire destroyed the home on Maria Road, but fortunately all of the occupants 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 that led to Moreau’s death.

The Medical Examiner’s office said Moreau’s cause of death was blunt trauma of the head, neck, torso and extremities.