By Justin Muszynski
Hartford Courant
PLAINVILLE, Conn. — Plainville Firefighter Raymond “Ray” Moreau will be honored on Tuesday night after making the ultimate sacrifice at a house fire over the weekend when a piece of a fire truck broke and struck him during an incident that remains under investigation by state and local authorities.
The ceremony, which is being coordinated by the town council, will take place at Plainville High School’s Tinty Stadium at 7 p.m. to remember the 35-year veteran of the Plainville Fire Department .
“We’re just trying to pull this together to allow the community to come together to recognize and reflect upon Ray’s service and his contribution to the community and as an outlet for folks” Town Manager Michael T. Paulhus told The Courant.
Paulhus on Monday said many of the details of the ceremony were still being worked out, but he encouraged anyone looking to pay their respects to attend.
“There’s been a tremendous outpouring of support in a close-knit community, certainly one that supports public safety,” Paulhus said. “And Ray was an integral part of that with 35 years of service. Very well loved within the community, so there’s been tremendous support.”
Moreau, 60, was killed when a piece of a fire truck broke free and struck his legs at the scene of a house fire at 45 Maria Road that was reported just before 6:00 a.m. Sunday , according to Connecticut State Police . The broken piece of the apparatus caused “catastrophic injuries” to his leg, state police said. He was taken to the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain where he died during surgery.
A state police spokesperson on Monday declined to provide additional details about what led to Moreau’s death, including specifics about what came free from the fire truck. The agency’s Central District Major Crime Squad is acting as the primary investigator with assistance from the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit and the Collision Analyst and Reconstruction Squad. Investigators are working with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as well as New Britain State’s Attorney Christian Watson .
According to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Moreau died of blunt trauma of the head, neck, torso and extremities. His death was ruled an accident.
The cause of the house fire, which caused heavy damage the home and displaced the family living there, also remains under investigation. The residents, who escaped uninjured, have been assisted by the American Red Cross .
The loss of Moreau has left the fire department and the community reeling. Outside of fire headquarters, sympathy flowers and messages of support were left on a fire truck as well as the brick pillars in front of the department. Parts of the department were draped in bunting.
Moreau’s body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Sunday during a procession that included a number of area police and fire departments. A similar procession was expected to take him to the Plainville Funeral Home on Monday following a brief stop at his home.
According to Paulhus, Moreau’s family on Monday had not yet finalized his funeral arrangements. They were also working on avenues where the community could direct their support. In October 2024 , when Wethersfield Volunteer Firefighter Robert Sharkevich Sr . was killed in a crash involving a utility vehicle while responding to a large brush fire on Lamentation Mountain in Berlin , homeowners and businesses in the area replaced outdoor lights with red light bulbs in his memory.
Moreau, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps , joined the Plainville Fire Department in July 1990 and is credited with having volunteered tens of thousands of hours to the community over the years. He is also remembered as a “loving husband” as well as a “consummate professional” and “dedicated servant,” state police said.
As Plainville firefighters begin to process the loss of one of their own, a number of area fire departments have stepped up to provide station coverage for the town while they take time to grieve. The departments that have assisted include the Bristol , Southington , and Wethersfield fire departments as well as others.
“There’s been an overwhelming support system that’s been initiated with departments throughout the state that have offered to help them,” Bristol Fire Chief Richard Hart said.
Bristol was one of the departments at the scene assisting with the house fire where Moreau suffered what ultimately proved to be fatal injuries. Bristol also offered its Peer Support Team along with its support K9 Molly to firefighters in Plainville mourning Moreau.
“We just helped out with that for support,” Hart said.
Gov. Ned Lamont on Sunday directed all U.S. and state flags in Connecticut to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Moreau. They should remain lowered until further notice.
“It is with extreme sadness…that we mourn the life of Plainville Firefighter Raymond Moreau , who selflessly put his life on the line to serve and protect his community,” Lamont said in a statement.
Lamont went on to say the line-of-duty death “is another reminder about the extraordinary risk that firefighters face as part of their duties, and they are heroes for assuming these responsibilities.
“On behalf of the entire State of Connecticut , I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Firefighter Moreau, including his wife Chris and his colleagues at the Plainville Fire Department ,” Lamont said
“I am heartbroken to learn of the tragedy in Plainville,” Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said. “Firefighter Raymond Moreau was a model citizen, who risked his life to keep his community safe. Our volunteer firefighters represent the best of us, exemplifying a steadfast commitment to service and sacrifice. My heart goes out to his loved ones and the Plainville community.”
“Firefighter Moreau made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty as he was protecting area residents, property and the community,” State Sen. Henri Martin , who represents Plainville , and the Senate Republican Caucus said, in a statement. “We pray for his family and friends and for the entire town of Plainville during this time of incredible sadness.”
In addition to station coverage and peer support, fire departments all over the state have taken to social media to express their condolences to Moreau’s family and friends as well as the Plainville Fire Department .
“Our hearts are heavy today for the Plainville Fire Department , as they mourn the loss of a member who made the ultimate sacrifice while operating at a house fire earlier (Sunday) morning,” the Southington Fire Department wrote Sunday.
Southington also provided mutual aid at the scene.
“We stand in solidarity with PFD as they navigate this profound tragedy,” the department continued. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the fallen firefighter’s family, loved ones, and the entire department.”
“Prayers for our brothers and sisters at Plainville fire department. Our thoughts and prayers are with you,” the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department posted on Facebook.
This article, orignially published on July 28 at 9:02 a.m. ET, has been updated with information surrounding Moreau’s death.
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