Just hours after a fallen firefighter from Wethersfield was laid to rest Monday, the Connecticut Fire Service lost another member of its ranks in a deadly crash in Newtown.

Botsford Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Peter Blomberg, 72, was hit by a pickup truck as he crossed Church Hill Road near Dayton Street around 6:15 p.m. Blomberg had been headed to the restaurant there for the annual Newtown Board of Fire Commissioners meeting in Sandy Hook, according to former Botsford Assistant Chief Bill McAllister.

Newtown police said the driver remained on the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

Blomberg was a lifelong Newtown resident and a volunteer firefighter for over 50 years. McAllister said he began at the town’s Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company and came to Botsford about 30 years ago, where he rose through the ranks. He was also a certified State Fire Instructor and Station Evaluator.

“Until very recently, Pete was among the first responders at fire scenes to strap on an air pack and head into burning buildings. He had a spectacular record of responding to nearly all the fire calls for service Botsford Fire Rescue received and was also among those first on the scene on calls in other districts,” McAllister said, adding that Blomberg responded to two calls the day of his death, including one in Sandy Hook.

On Tuesday, Blomberg's vehicle was parked in front of the fire house, draped in bunting and surrounded by flowers donated by Hollandia Nurseries in Bethel.

“My father, who owns the business, is also a firefighter at Stony Hill,” explained Hans Reelick as he made the drop-off. “And I have many friends that are in different fire companies around Connecticut, so it means a lot for us to come and help out the community in such a tragic time.”

Blomberg’s death came the same day as hundreds of firefighters from across the state attended the funeral of Wethersfield firefighter Robert Sharkevich, 66, who was killed last week responding to the brush fires in Berlin. Sharkevich died when the utility vehicle he was riding in rolled over on a trail.

“You know, you pray for these people because they're really going out to save our lives,” Reelick stated.

“It's tough. I mean we have five fire companies in town. They're all volunteer, and they really do a lot for our town,” said Newtown First Selectman Jeff Capeci. “It's tough to lose somebody like that so tragically with such a large family. I can't imagine the pain that they're going through today.”

Blomberg leaves behind four daughters—Lindsey, Lauren, Sara and Jillian—along with a grandson named Everett, who was “the apple of his grandfather’s eye,” according to McAllister.

Blomberg was an accomplished carpenter and later took on a maintenance job with Newtown Public Schools until retiring just six weeks ago, McAllister said.

“Pete kept the community of Newtown foremost in his thoughts throughout his life, second only to his devoted and loving family, friends and colleagues. He never said no when there was a call for help whether it came in the line of duty or from someone he learned just needed a helping hand.”

Funeral arrangements have not been announced yet.