Governor orders flags at half-staff to honor 2 Conn. firefighters killed battling house fire

Flags lowered for 2 Conn. firefighters who died

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell has ordered flags at half-staff in honor of two Bridgeport firefighters who died battling a house fire.

Forty-year-old Lt. Steven Velasquez and 49-year-old Michel (MIHCH’ ul) Baik were dispatched Saturday to the third floor of the residence to rip down the ceiling, reach hot spots and search for anyone trapped. City fire officials say the two men were found unconscious after they sent out mayday calls. They were pronounced dead at hospitals.

Fire Captain Ed McCann told The Hartford Courant that smoke inhalation may have caused the deaths. Autopsies are to be performed. No residents of the house were injured.

The governor said Sunday that flags will remain lowered until sundown on the day of the firefighters’ funerals, which have not yet been set.