New Haven Mourns Loss Of Firefighter, Prays For Another

NEW HAVEN, CT — One firefighter was killed and three more were injured, one critically, while fighting a Valley Street house fire overnight.

The firefighter who died was identified as Ricardo Torres Jr.

New Haven fire Chief John Alston said early Wednesday morning Torres was a hero who dreamed of being a firefighter.

“Since he was a child, he wanted to be a firefighter," Alston said. "I interviewed him and hired him for this job. I was so proud of him and I continue to be proud of him.”

The fire broke out around 12:45 a.m. Alston said. When firefighters got there, they found the first floor and basement of the two-family house "fully involved" with fire. He said two people were trapped and rescued by firefighters. One is an 84-year-old woman who is the property owner and the other is a man who lived on the second floor as a tenant, officials said.

Alston said that at around 1:15 a.m., the blaze became a two-alarm fire and that very shortly after, a mayday came in. Torres was "lost and disoriented on the second floor," Alston said. A rescue of the firefighters in trouble was begun, he said, and Torres and firefighter Lt. Samod Rankins were found unconscious on the second floor of the house at 190 Valley St. Alston said rescuers from various fire companies worked under "intense conditions" to get the men out of the house.

A GoFundMe was created to help Torres' family. According to the appeal for donations, his wife is expecting and the couple have a young child, not quite a year old. The GoFundMe appeal, created early Wednesday afternoon, by early Thursday morning, had already nearly $135,000 in pledges.

Torres was also an ice hockey player.

Fire Chief Alston said that firefighter Rankins was transported to the burn unit at Bridgeport Hospital with "significant" injuries. The New Haven Independent reported he was in a medically-induced coma.

Rankins, who goes by the nickname "Nuke," is an EMT. Rankins is part of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team, the Connecticut Urban Search And Rescue Task Force, member of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters and member of the non-profit Firebirds Society of the Greater New Haven.

Hundreds have posted to Rankins' Facebook page, family, friends, colleagues and members of the community.

"Cousin, the whole family has you in our prayers and the rest of NHFD. You're brave and strong and a fighter you will pull through this," one wrote. "You always give more to others so God please cover and watch over my cousin and the rest of the New Haven Fire Department. We need you more now than ever. God please bring him and the others through this."

Alston said that Torres became a New Haven firefighter in July 2019. Rankins joined the NHFD in February 2018 and was in March promoted to lieutenant.

Two other firefighters — Tyrone Reed and Tyler Skolnik —were hurt. They were treated for those injuries at the hospital and released, Alston said.

The New Haven Police Department, Connecticut State Police, state Fire Marshal and the state's attorney are all investigating as Torres' death was in the line of duty, Alston said.

Gov. Ned Lamont directed all U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff in honor of Torres, Jr., who died in the line of duty.

At the Westville fire house, the flag had been lowered very early Wednesday morning.

“On behalf of the State of Connecticut, I send my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of New Haven Firefighter Ricardo Torres, Jr.,” Lamont said.

“Today’s tragedy is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers that firefighters face each and every day when responding to emergencies. Firefighter Torres is a hero, who dedicated his life to the safety of the people of New Haven," Lamont said. "My thoughts are also with the firefighters who were injured while responding to this emergency, and I pray for their speedy recovery.”

Alston, when asked how firefighters are coping with the loss, said, "There are no words, absolutely no words. You see all the stages of grief happening in real time. Some will be numb. Some will be angry. Some will be sad. And in the days to come will question whether they did the right thing."

"I know after 36 years in this business, they did exactly what they are supposed to do and when their brothers were in trouble, they went in and got them," Alston said in a trembling voice.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker joined fire officials at an early morning press conference.

“This is a challenging time for our community,” he said. “To have lost someone who is truly a hero, who went into harm's way to ensure the safety of others, this will be something that impacts us for months and years to come.”

A fire investigator said that “during this tragedy, we did rescue two people.

“These heroes went above and beyond.”

Fire departments from around the state are sending condolences.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the New Haven Fire Department and their families as they mourn the loss of one of their own. May their service and sacrifice never be forgotten," the North Haven Fire Department wrote on Twitter.

East Haven fire Chief Matt Marcarelli is heartbroken.

"The NHFD was part of my personal and professional life for many years and my affinity to New Haven and the FD will never wain," he posted to Facebook. "To the NHFD we are all mourning with you."

Early Wednesday afternoon, fire and city officials held an emotional press conference to share more information.