MERIDEN, Conn. — A Wethersfield firefighter died after a UTV rollover crash near the Meriden town line Tuesday, according to Berlin Fire Chief John Massirio.
The crash was reported at 5:35 p.m. at the south end of the Lamentation Mountain brush fire in Berlin, involving one firefighter with severe injuries and two others with minor injuries.
According to Massirio, the UTV was operating on a paved trail while responding to the brush fire. It is currently unclear what led to the crash.
Two of the firefighters with minor injuries were taken to the hospital, treated and released, Massirio said.
The name of the firefighter who died will not be released until families have been notified.
The Meriden Police Department is handling the investigation.
DEEP is operating a small team on Lamentation Mountain to check on the fire lines and is bringing in additional resources for the night.
Firefighters' operational period at the fire will be cut short around midnight, Massirio said.
Massirio said a procession is planned for the firefighter and that the fire department will be offering a stress debriefing to affected firefighters.
He noted that he knew the fallen firefighter for "quite some time," and that his death "affects everybody here."
"The friendships run deep here, and there's long lasting relationships between these people, so we're a tight knit family. It's definitely felt throughout the surrounding towns, it's not just a Wethersfield thing or a Berlin thing, Newington, we're a family and it affects everybody here," Massirio said.
Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement, "My heart breaks learning the news that a Wethersfield firefighter died in the line of duty responding to the brush fire in Berlin. Firefighters go above and beyond to protect our communities. My prayers are with his family and colleagues at this devastating time."
State Sen. Matt Lesser said that his "heart aches for the Wethersfield Fire Department and for all Connecticut firefighters."
"I will never not be in awe of people who put themselves at risk to keep the rest of us safe," Lesser said.
State Comptroller Sean Scanlon sent his "thoughts and prayers for the firefighter killed this afternoon in Berlin."
"A somber reminder that our first responders put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe," Scanlon said.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to this page for updates.
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