Wellness-Check Ends In 5 Injured Newtown Police Officers

NEWTOWN, CT — Five Newtown police officers were injured when a wellness check went terribly wrong on Tuesday, according to police officials.

Police were called to check on the well-being of a person residing on Parmalee Hill Road at about 1 pm. First responders found the home "in disrepair," according to their report.

The occupant was speaking to the police through a closed door when an officer noticed a fire and a large amount of smoke coming from a kitchen stove in front of the person.

When police attempted to force entry, their way was blocked "by a large amount of materials in the home consistent with a hoarding situation." It took several minutes to get to the occupant, and then get the person safely out of the house. The occupant was transported to the hospital by ambulance to be evaluated for smoke inhalation and other injuries, according to police. There is no further update on their condition.

While on scene, a parked, unoccupied fire apparatus slid several feet across the snow-covered driveway and struck a police officer as he was walking alongside the truck. EMS evaluated five police officers for a variety of complaints, including smoke inhalation and injuries from falls. The officer who was struck by the fire apparatus was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries and released.

"The officers on scene worked through extreme conditions without regard for their own safety in order to protect the health and well-being of this Newtown resident," police said in a statement Wednesday.

Representatives from the town’s Building Department and Fire Marshal's Office also responded. The home was condemned, according to police.