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News

Fuel Spill On I-84 (Tuesday, March 31, 2026)

CT State Police and Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue responded to a reported vehicle accident with fluid spill at 20:18 March 31. The caller of a 2024 Mac Anthem tractor-trailer told dispatch his truck had been traveling in the center lane of three on I-84 West approaching Exit 11 when he struck something in the roadway.

That caused one of the truck’s tires to blow, which punctured one of the saddle tanks and led to a diesel spill. The truck stopped approximately one mile prior to Exit 10.

SHVFR First Assistant Chief Andy Ryan confirmed the spill and assumed command upon arrival. SHVFR Engine 442, Tanker 9 and Rescue 444 also responded with crews. 

DEEP was contacted and responded.

The truck’s 75-gallon tank was damaged. Fuel from the truck’s 100-gallon tank also leaked through the smaller tank.

Firefighters contained the leak in a retention pond, and covered the rest of the spill with Speedi-Dri. 

No waterways were affected.

Hilario’s responded for the tow. Moran Environmental also responded for the cleanup.

Sandy Hook cleared at 23:15.

Garage Fire Stopped Before Extending Into Home (Botsford Fire district; Saturday, March 28, 2026) 

All of Newtown’s fire companies were dispatched at 14:30 to a home on High Bridge Road, within Botsford Fire Rescue’s district, for a reported garage fire.

The first firefighter to arrive on scene, a Botsford Fire Rescue firefighter reported fire showing from the C side of the garage and the breezeway between the home and garage. Heavy smoke was showing from the A, B and D sides of the garage.

Once the fire was confirmed, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance was added per structure fire protocol.

Stepney was requested for coverage of Botsford’s station, and Southbury was requested to cover Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue.

The residents and their dog were all safely out of the home without injury.

Botsford Fire Rescue Captain Mike Dziubina served as OIC.

Sandy Hook Quint 440 responded with a crew, as did the company’s command vehicle and Truck 448. Sandy Hook VFR provided its command board and Deputy Chief Ryan Clark ran Botsford’s pumper (551).

The bulk of the fire was knocked down at 14:50. The fire was deemed knocked down, with no extension to the house, at 15:03. Firefighters continued working hot spots and pulling items out of the garage.

High Bridge was closed between its intersections with New Lebbon and Botsford Hill roads for most of the time firefighters were on the scene. SHVFR Fire Police assisted Newtown Police with traffic until Sandy Hook cleared.

Sandy Hook returned to service at 15:34.

Police were eventually able to open one lane of High Bridge Road around 15:45 pm.

Overhaul was complete and Botsford cleared from the scene at 16:18.

Three-Vehicle Chain Reaction During Morning Rush (Wednesday, March 25, 2026)

(Newtown Bee photo; used with permission)

Connecticut State Police, Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps were dispatched at 07:33 to I-84 West near Exit 11 for a reported three-car crash with unknown injuries. Dispatch was reporting one pregnant female was requesting evaluation.

NVAC’s 97-2 arrived within minutes, and reported the crash was on the high speed side of the highway between the exit ramps.

SHVFR Chief Anthony Capozziello arrived at 0743, confirmed the initial dispatch, and assumed command.

Engine 441, Rescue 444 and Tanker 9 also responded to the crash, which involved a 2021 Lexus NX, a 2025 Subaru Outback and a 2021 Jeep Compass. CSP reported the Lexus and Subaru had both stopped for traffic but the Jeep did not stop in time, hitting the Subaru, which then hit the Lexus. The driver of the Lexus was the pregnant woman seeking eval.

SHVFR First Assistant Chief Andy Ryan took command of the scene. Traffic was limited to one lane while first responders were on scene.

The female driver of the Lexus was transported by NVAC. No other injuries were reported on scene.

The Lexus was driven from the scene by a passenger. The Subaru and Jeep were both towed due to damage.

Firefighters assisted EMS, cleared debris from the road, managed traffic, and blocked the scene until the two vehicles were towed and the patient was transported.

Sandy Hook VFR returned to service at 08:16.

Back To Basics: Chainsaw Training (Monday, March 23, 2026)

Sandy Hook VFR welcomed Mission CIT instructors Eric and Justin for an evening training session.

Members broke into two groups, with one session focused on chainsaws and the other going over roof saws. Each instructor covered basic checks, safe use and applications before the groups rotated between the two stations. 

  • March 25, 2026 in News

2-Vehicle Crash Sends Three to the Hospital (Tuesday, March 17, 2026)

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Newtown Hook & Ladder, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, a paramedic and Newtown Police Department were dispatched at 07:59 Tuesday, March 17, to Wasserman Way east of Oakview Road for a reported head-on collision between two vehicles with possible extrication needed.

SHVFR First Assistant Chief Andy Ryan arrived on scene in three minutes and confirmed a crash between a 2003 Ford F-350 and 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe. A 68-year-old male had been operating the truck, with a 15-year-old male passenger. The truck was traveling east when it crossed into the westbound lane and crashed into the SUV. A 57-year-old woman operating the Tahoe was the sole occupant of that vehicle.

FAC Ryan called for a second ambulance. Stony Hill responded.

Two additional medics were also added to the call.  

Sandy Hook Rescue 444 and Hook & Ladder Engine 112 responded with crews. SHVFR Engine 442 stood by at Sandy Hook’s main station with a full crew.

Wasserman Way was fully closed for 90 minutes.

Initial reports indicated extrication would be needed for the woman. Firefighters were able to assist her out of the Tahoe, however, and then began patient care. She was transported ALS.

Both occupants of the truck were also transported ALS.

Hook & Ladder cleared at 0830. Sandy Hook remained on scene until both vehicles were loaded on wreckers and fluids were covered, and then cleared at 09:22.

Dryer Fire in Hook & Ladder’s District (Saturday, March 14, 2026)

Newtown Hook & Ladder was dispatched at 11:39 after a resident contacted dispatch for their neighbor, who was reporting a possible outside fire on Meadow Road.

Hook & Ladder First Assistant Chief Dan Gindraux was first to arrive on scene and confirmed a two-story dwelling with smoke showing. All companies were dispatched at that time for a possible basement fire. Brookfield was also requested for mutual aid.

Sandy Hook First Assistant Chief Andy Ryan arrived at 11:48. He supplied Hook & Ladder with a command board and then conducted a primary search, with a Hook & Ladder firefighter, of the home’s first and second floors.

Firefighters found a clothing dryer was burning in the basement. A Hook & Ladder crew stretched a line to the basement and quickly extinguished the fire before ventilating the space.  

A fire marshal also responded to the scene.

SHVFR Deputy Chief Ryan Clark also responded to the scene.

Sandy Hook Engine 441 and Botsford 551 both stood by their respective stations with crews ready.

Brookfield was canceled en route.  

All companies cleared from the scene at 12:30. 

Utility Truck Rollover Closes Wasserman Way (Sunday, March 8, 2026)

Sandy Hook VFR, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps and a paramedic were dispatched at 13:42 to Wasserman Way at Nunnawauk Road after SHVFR Deputy Chief Ryan Clark and Second Engineer Bruce Clark pulled up to a rollover with possible injuries.

DC Clark reported a utility truck had rolled over and was actively leaking fluids into nearby waterways which included the Pootatuck Aquifer. DC Clark estimated 20 gallons had already leaked from the truck, which was still leaking. The truck clipped a utility pole and damaged approximately 60 feet of guardrail.

The male driver and male passenger were both able to self-extricate. One was treated for minor injuries and declined transport. The other had no injuries.

Sandy Hook Rescue 444 and Engine 441 responded with crews.

DEEP and Eversource were both notified.

Firefighters used Speedi-Dri to contain the fluids in the roadway and catch basin before it entered the waterway. They also cleared much of the large debris field filled with tools that flew off the truck during the rollover.

Wasserman Way was closed to through traffic while the scene was active.

Modzelewski’s responded with two heavy-duty wreckers to upright the utility truck. Firefighters then finished covering the spill.

Sandy Hook left the scene for DOT to fix the guardrail and DEEP to manage the spill remediation.

Sandy Hook cleared at 15:29.

2-Vehicle Crash On I-84 West (Wednesday, February 11, 2026)

CT State Police, Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps were dispatched at 11:27 am Wednesday, February 11 to I-84 West between the Bancroft Road overpass and the Exit 11 offramp for a reported two-vehicle crash with injuries.

SHVFR First Assistant Chief Andy Ryan took command upon arrival and confirmed a 2021 Honda Civic EX had collided with the rear of a 2026 Volvo VNL tractor-trailer truck. The vehicles were in the slow speed lane. The crash had created a large debris field.

Rescue 444 and Tanker 9 also responded with crews.

The driver of the sedan, a 32-year-old female, was reporting minor injuries. She was checked at the scene but did not require transport.

The driver of the truck, a 49-year-old male, was uninjured.

Both operators were wearing seatbelts. The Honda’s airbags deployed, but the truck’s did not.

The Honda sustained disabling damage and was towed from the scene by Hilario’s Towing. The truck and the trailer sustained minor damage and were driven from the scene.Sandy Hook VFR and Newtown Ambulance cleared from the scene by 12:15.