NEW BRITAIN — Mayor Timothy Stewart was a young firefighter 15 years ago when he watched one of his colleagues, Robert Caffery, inhale clouds of superheated toxic gases as they fought their way into an abandoned house that had gone up in flames.
Since then, Stewart said, he has watched in horror as the respiratory injuries his friend suffered have grown steadily worse, making it impossible for Caffery to hold down a job or perform even the mildest form of exercise.
“The guy has pretty much had the prime of his life cut out from under him,” Stewart said. “I think the city needs to do more to acknowledge that.”
Full story: Mayor To Press Ex-Firefighter’s Case