Having dispatched fire apparatus from the NoHFD's fire headquarters at Broadway and Washington Avenue, the North Haven dispatcher immediately contacted Hamden Central Communications. Only a little more than a mile from the fire scene, Hamden's Station 4 is a lot closer than North Haven's fire headquarters. Hamden's Squad 1 would undoubtedly arrive first.
.
However, when the mutual aid call was received at 1311 hours, Hamden's Squad 1 was out on a medical call, as was second due Engine 3. This left third due Engine 5, about 3 miles from the scene, which Central dispatched.
.
Hearing the dispatch, Hamden Batt. Chief Rich Otlowski started responding in Car 3 from Dixwell Avenue near the high school. At Stop & Shop near Skiff Street, he saw a plume of black smoke rising over Whitney Avenue to the east. Black smoke? No water was on the fire yet, he thought.
.
Car 3 turned right from Skiff onto Whitney, the smoke was still black - still no water. Nearing the scene, from his rearview mirror B/C Otlowski saw a piece North Haven fire apparatus approaching. At the scene seconds later, he found the garage fully involved and "about 75% down."
