Waterbury Fire Fighter Dies In Two-Fire Truck Collision

May 22, 2007 – Waterbury, CT Local 1339 Captain John Keane has died following injuries suffered in collision involving two fire trucks May 19, 2007. Keane, secretary of Local 1339, was a 12-year veteran fire fighter.

The wake for Keane is scheduled for Thursday, May 24 from 4-8 p.m. at City Hall located at 235 Grand Street in Waterbury. Services will be held Friday, May 25 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter and Paul Church located at 67 Southmayd Road in Waterbury. The burial will be immediately following the services at Old Calvary Cemetery. A reception will then be held at the Waterville Firehouse at 1551 Thomaston Avenue. Directions and staging information can be found on Local 1339's web site.

Keane was responding to a kitchen fire when his fire truck collided with another truck. Keane and Local 1339 fire fighter Joseph Fischetti were ejected from one of the trucks. Both were transported to area hospitals in critical condition.

Fischetti remains in intensive care, however Local 1339 officials say that doctors are optimistic about his recovery. Six other fire fighters were also transported with injuries, but have been released.

An investigation is underway as to why the two fire trucks collided. No word yet on the cause.

Keane is survived by his wife, Monica, and their two children, Erica, 10, and John, 8.