OXFORD, Connecticut — Beacon Hose Fire Company safely rescued 19 people and a dog from severe flooding at the Brookside Inn in Oxford and a nearby residence on Sunday evening.
Around 5 p.m., Beacon Hose ambulances were responding to medical calls in Seymour and Oxford when BH-8 encountered floodwaters near the Brookside Inn. The crew, unable to reach a call at a nearby package store, reported that floodwaters were rising rapidly, raising concerns that the Brookside Inn’s structure could be compromised with 18 people inside. With Oxford fire crews overwhelmed by emergencies across town, Beacon Hose received permission to begin a rescue operation.
Truck 6 and Rescue 4, along with Beacon Hose’s special operations trailer, were dispatched to the scene. Firefighters Cal Brennan and Christian Hotchkiss were the first to reach a nearby residence, where they evacuated a woman and her dog. Using Truck 6’s 107-foot aerial ladder, the crew then accessed a cement patio at Brookside Inn and began a search of the building. They located 18 people who had taken refuge on the second and main floors of the restaurant.
Firefighters assisted 17 people in climbing the aerial ladder to safety. One person, who required medical attention, was evacuated in a Stokes basket but was released after evaluation. The rescue operation was completed by 7:30 p.m., with all 19 people and the dog safely evacuated.
During the rescue, a large propane tank became dislodged, leaking gas that enveloped part of the building. Rushing floodwaters also carried hazardous debris, including vehicles and dumpsters. Despite these dangers, no injuries were reported. Beacon Hose transported the evacuees to their headquarters using a department minibus to await pickup.
The rescue team included Incident Commander Jeremy Rodorigo and operations lead Cal Brennan, with support from firefighters Kevin O’Connell, Paul Brennan, Christian Hotchkiss, John Weid, Adam Daniels, Adam Biggs, and Eric Battis. EMS personnel on site included Chris Beson, Rob Swercewski, Lillian Wrigley, and Tom Mulinski.
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