Firefighter Matthias Wirtz dies battling blaze on Quinnipiac Ave. in North Haven early Monday, chief says
Lisa Backus
Dec. 26, 2022Updated: Dec. 26, 2022 1:59 p.m.
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NORTH HAVEN-The town is mourning the loss of local firefighter Matthias Wirtz who died early Monday after battling a two-alarm blaze on Quinnipiac Avenue.
North Have Fire Department
NORTH HAVEN— Firefighter Matthias Wirtz, a 22-year veteran of the town's department, died after battling a two-alarm blaze in the 100 block of Quinnipiac Avenue in North Haven early Monday, fire officials said.
Deputy Chief Scott Bisson said that Wirtz called for a "mayday" while battling the blaze at a four-family home on Quinnipiac Avenue.
"He was found unconscious and unresponsive," Bisson said. Lifesaving measures were taken including CPR and the use of a defibrillator until the firefighter arrived at Yale New Haven Hospital where he was later pronounced dead, Bisson said.
"It's a tragic loss for the North Haven Fire Department and all of our families," said Chief Paul Zanuszewski who described Wirtz as "everybody's friend."
"He was a great person," Januszewski said during a press conference held at the scene of the fire. "He was a great family man. He'd do anything for anyone."
The 46-year-old Wirtz was found outside of the building with firefighters and paramedics working to save his life as other crews including those from New Haven and East Haven working to deal with the blaze that displaced 13, Januszewski said.
He leaves behind a wife and a mother, the chief said. He was decorated member of the department who responded to the 9/11 World Trade Center Attacks, city officials said in a press release. He began his firefighting career as a volunteer with North Haven's North East Volunteer Fire Company #4 in 1996. A procession will take his body from the hospital to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Farmington where an autopsy will be conducted, fire officials said.
Gov. Ned Lamon ordered all U.S. and state flags to be lowered to half-mast in honor of Wirtz Monday afternoon.
“The passing of North Haven Firefighter Matthias Wirtz is heartbreaking, and we honor his bravery and courage in responding early this morning to a multi-alarm residential fire, where over a dozen people have become displaced,” Lamont said in a release issued by his office. “This is particularly upsetting as it comes at a time of year when families and friends are gathering to celebrate the holiday season. His passing is a painful reminder that first responders work every single day of the year, 24 hours a day, and often miss holidays with their families in order to protect the people of our state."
Town residents and firefighters throughout the state are mourning the loss of Wirtz who was active in the New Haven County Firefighters Emerald Society and the Knights of Columbus, officials said.
“We’re beside ourselves with the loss. Matty was a big part of our band. He’s been with us for 20 years as a member and snare drummer,” said Mike Torino, a retired East Haven firefighter who is the band manager of the New Haven County Firefighters Emerald Society. “His raspy voice, his large personality and his laugh is I think what we’re going to remember the most. He was a very giving, caring person. He’d give you the snare off the front and the shirt off his back.”
Torino said that with a tenure of 20 years, Wirtz was among the longest-tenured members of the Emerald Society.
“The snare drummers are part of our heart, our baseline. As bagpipers, they lay the beat down for us and they’re a huge part of what we do,” he said. “It fulfills and fills out the sound of the band. Matt was always one of those drummers that was there and we never really had to worry about if he was prepared or ready, because he was on point.”
Torino said the loss of Wirtz will be felt in the Emerald Society “for years to come,” especially as they head into the busy season of March.
“If you’re wearing the uniform and work in this line of duty it’s something you have a healthy respect for: when the bell hits you go out and do your job. It’s a tragic loss any time, an even more tragic loss around the holidays and to have it happen this way. It hits home for all of us even harder,” he said.
"It's a sad day here," said long-time North Haven First Selectman Michael Freda. "It's a really sad day for all of us."
Freda called Wirtz a dedicated firefighter and a "quiet strong man who always did his job. "He was well-respected throughout the town and the fire department," Freda said. "We are all still processing this."
Arrangements for Wirtz's funeral will be announced in the coming days, Freda said. "I love our fire department," he said. "These men and women out their lives on the line every day responding to fires and medical emergencies. I have a great deal of respect for what they do."
The blaze is now under investigation by a Connecticut State Police fire investigation until, Januszewski said. "This is going to be a long week and some long months to come, " the chief said.
The fire was called in at about 1:11 a.m. with heavy fire in the back of the four-family house, fire officials said. The 13 occupants of the house were displaced by the fire but not injured, officials said. The American Red Cross is helping seven adults and three children who were living in the house at the time of the fire, officials said.
Firefighters from several surrounding communities helped battle the blaze, officials said. Firefighters from around the area will be staying in North Haven to help man stations as the department grieves, Januszewski said.
Staff writer Brian Zahn contributed to this story.
North Haven firefighter Matthias Wirtz died after battling a two-alarm blaze on Quinnipiac Avenue in North Haven early Monday, officials said.
www.nhregister.com
“He was everybody’s friend. He was a great person. He was a great family man,” the fire chief said. “He would do anything for anybody.”
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