HARTFORD — Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing US and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff in honor of Burlington Firefighter and EMT Colin McFadden, who became suddenly ill while responding to a fire in New Hartford early Tuesday and died this morning.

McFadden, 26, a firefighter and EMT with Burlington Volunteer Fire Department for six years, died at UConn John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington, according to the Associated Press. Fire officials said he had undergone emergency surgery and his doctors discovered a previously undiagnosed medical condition that caused him to become ill.

Flags should be lowered immediately and remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has not yet been determined. Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the US flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered during this same duration of time. The Office of the Governor will send out a notification when flags should be returned to full staff.

“It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of Burlington Firefighter Colin McFadden, who responded early Tuesday morning to a tragic fire out of a courageous sense of duty and compassion to protect the lives of others,” Governor Lamont said. “This is a terrible reminder of the dangers that firefighters put themselves in each time they respond to an emergency. My deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and fellow firefighters from the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department.”

Fire department and police vehicles escorted McFadden's body from the hospital to a funeral home in Bristol on Thursday. Firefighters at departments along the route saluted him as the procession went by. Funeral services have not been announced.

McFadden was one of nearly 100 firefighters from the region that responded to the blaze at New Hartford House early Tuesday morning. Two other firefighters suffered minor injuries.

All 22 residents who lived in the building were accounted for, but several pets were missing. The building, which dated to 1850, was torn down Wednesday. It had six businesses on the ground floor and 14 apartments above. Only its brick facade was left standing after the fire.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.