Thursday, May 24, 2007
1491 Central Ave (Frank-5)
"Tower II apartments", a 10-story concrete hi-rise, had a bedroom fire 9th floor contained by one sprinkler head.
BOX E-6,15,10,1 L-6,10 R-5 BC-2
Firefighter saves tenant from smoke
AARON LEO aleo@ctpost.com
Article Last Updated: 05/25/2007 11:09:36 PM EDT
BRIDGEPORT — A Fire Department lieutenant saved a 40-year-old man overcome by smoke after his East Side apartment caught fire Thursday afternoon in what authorities described as a case of careless smoking. Lt. Paul Kochiss pulled Stewart Falson from his ninth-floor apartment in Tower II, 1491 Central Ave., after a lit match Falson dropped while smoking sparked a small fire at about 3:45 p.m., said provisional Assistant Fire Chief Chris Martin. Falson was semiconscious when firefighters rushed him to Bridgeport Hospital. He was treated for smoke inhalation and later released, Martin said. Falson told authorities he was using a match to light a cigarette and dropped the lit match onto his sheets, igniting them. Martin said he tried to put the fire out himself before the apartment's sprinkler was activated. Falson was overcome by smoke and collapsed. The heavy smoke then drifted out into the hallway, the assistant chief said. Firefighters arrived and found the downed man after entering the apartment. "He was on the floor, just outside the bedroom," Martin said, adding, "Paul made a heck of a grab there. He did a good job." The high-rise building, which houses elderly and disabled residents, is a subsidized Bridgeport Housing Authority residence. Aaron Leo, who covers regional issues, can be reached at 330-6222.
BOX E-6,15,10,1 L-6,10 R-5 BC-2
Firefighter saves tenant from smoke
AARON LEO aleo@ctpost.com
Article Last Updated: 05/25/2007 11:09:36 PM EDT
BRIDGEPORT — A Fire Department lieutenant saved a 40-year-old man overcome by smoke after his East Side apartment caught fire Thursday afternoon in what authorities described as a case of careless smoking. Lt. Paul Kochiss pulled Stewart Falson from his ninth-floor apartment in Tower II, 1491 Central Ave., after a lit match Falson dropped while smoking sparked a small fire at about 3:45 p.m., said provisional Assistant Fire Chief Chris Martin. Falson was semiconscious when firefighters rushed him to Bridgeport Hospital. He was treated for smoke inhalation and later released, Martin said. Falson told authorities he was using a match to light a cigarette and dropped the lit match onto his sheets, igniting them. Martin said he tried to put the fire out himself before the apartment's sprinkler was activated. Falson was overcome by smoke and collapsed. The heavy smoke then drifted out into the hallway, the assistant chief said. Firefighters arrived and found the downed man after entering the apartment. "He was on the floor, just outside the bedroom," Martin said, adding, "Paul made a heck of a grab there. He did a good job." The high-rise building, which houses elderly and disabled residents, is a subsidized Bridgeport Housing Authority residence. Aaron Leo, who covers regional issues, can be reached at 330-6222.
