Firefighter died of smoke inhalation

Bridgeport, Conn. (WTNH/AP) - The medical examiner says a Bridgeport firefighter died of smoke inhalation while battling a house fire on Saturday.

Further study is needed on a second firefighter who died.

49-year old Michel "Mitch" Baik died of smoke inhalation. The ME also says he had coronary artery disease that contributed to his death.

The autopsy on 40-year old Steven Velasquez will require more study.

Velasquez and Baik were battling a house fire at 41 Elmwood Avenue. The two were ventilating the fire and checking for hot spots when mayday calls went out. They were found unconscious on the third floor and pronounced dead at the hospital.

"This fire apparently had some sort of head start before we got there and it was in the walls. It was in the ceilings," Chief Brian Rooney, Bridgeport Fire Department , said Sunday. "The last we know is that the two firefighters were up on the third floor pulling down the ceilings and that's the last that we heard from them."

They are the first Bridgeport firefighters to die in the line of duty in more than a decade. According to the department , Velasquez was promoted to lieutenant in February 2010. Baik had been a firefighter for two years.

Black bunting hangs outside the 7-11 firehouse. Governor Rell has ordered all U.S. and State flags lowered to half-staff.

The State Fire Marshal's office is trying to figure out what happened. Investigators will also be checking the equipment used by the firefighters are any problems.

The fire department has not had problems with its breathing equipment, which is checked daily when firefighters come on duty, Capt. Edward McCann said.

The air tanks give a warning of about five minutes when they are getting low, he said, but firefighters can become disoriented or have their exit blocked by fire, smoke or falling debris.

Local 834 has set up a fund to help the families.