On Sunday, January 17 at approximately 1919 hours, the Essex Junction Fire Department and Essex Fire Department were dispatched to respond to 25 Franklin Street in the Village of Essex Junction for a report of smoke in the building.

En route, dispatch updated that police officers on the scene were advising there was heavy smoke coming from the basement. At this time, mutual aid was requested from the Williston Fire Department in the form of an engine as well as Essex Rescue to respond to the scene.

Engine 7, Ladder 3 and Car 9 all responded to the scene. Engine 7 arrived first to find smoke showing from a doorway which was being held open. Engine 7 secured a water supply from a hydrant and stretched an attack line into the building. Ladder 3 arrived moments later and as the operator threw the aerial to the roof, the crew made entry into the structure for a search.

The crews from Engine 7 and Ladder 3 located a small fire in the basement outside a storage unit involving two planters. The fire was quickly extinguished and the crews from Essex Fire and Williston Fire checked for smoke extension through the upper floors of the building. Crews utilized fans to ventilate the building for approximately 30 minutes. Once the smoke was cleared and the alarm reset, residents were allowed back into the building.

The fire was determined to be accidental and was caused by smoking materials.