WOLCOTT--Just grateful to be rescued from their burning home Monday, a Wolcott family was once again thanking first responders Friday afternoon, thanks to an unexpected gift.
An emotional Katie and Colin O’Brien were unsure why they were summoned to the Wolcott Police Department this afternoon. They assumed it had to do with the fire that they and their mother, Eileen, narrowly escaped.
“On behalf of the Wolcott police officers and the Wolcott Police Union, we would like you to accept this Target gift card in the amount of $1,000 to help you and your family through this tough time,” said officer Rich Hamel. The civilian employees of the Wolcott Police Department also chipped in $100.
“You saved my mom’s life,” said a teary Katie O’Brien. “You were so good. I’m just so grateful.”
Upon arriving at their Garrigus Court home, just after 3:30 a.m. Monday crews could not immediately get to Eileen O’Brien, whose frantic children said she was trapped in her second-floor bedroom. But then the mother started to climb out of her window in desperation. Fire Marshal James Frageau, Deputy Chief Ed Costa and police officer Peter Garguilo helped her out of the burning house by climbing on the cellar door, reaching up and guiding her to the ground.
“You’re just acting,” said Garguilo, who has been a Wolcott cop for three years. “You don’t really think about anything until it’s all over and you start writing your report.”
Eileen O’Brien was admitted to St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury for smoke inhalation.
“I thought my mom was gone,” said Katie O’Brien. “It was really scary.”
The fire started in Eileen O’Brien’s bedroom. Her children say she is a smoker, but they are not sure if that’s what caused the fire to ignite.
Katie O’Brien says this experience has taught her a valuable lesson. “Now I need to work even harder for what I want because you don’t know when it’s going to end.”
If you are interested in donating any items to the family, kindly reach out to the Wolcott Police Department. As for Katie and Colin, having their family, including their dog Mack, back together is all they need, they say.