Structure Fire - Old Colchester Road

On February 2nd, at 1301, Essex Junction Fire was dispatched to 52 Old Colchester Road for a smoke investigation. The resident reported returning home to find smoke in their kitchen and was concerned about their cat.

While responding, Chief Gaboriault (C1) requested Essex Town Fire be added due to reports of smoke in the residence. When C1 arrived on the scene, he reported smoke coming from the gable end. He was met by a former member, now a Burlington Fire Lieutenant, who reported an active kitchen fire.

The Burlington Lieutenant had stopped to help when he saw the smoke and attempted to extinguish the fire. Using a fire extinguisher and buckets of water from the home's water spigot, he attempted to keep the fire small, but the smoke had banked down to the floor, and he could not continue his efforts. He then stuck around, hit the hydrant for Engine 7, and assisted with making a water supply.

Engine 7 arrived on the scene with a crew of 4 and was assigned a fire attack. Ladder 3 arrived moments later, and its crew was assigned to pull a second line. Crews quickly made the entrance and knocked the fire down in minutes. Crews then overhauled the fire and opened the ceiling and walls due to fire extension. The fire was deemed out within 15 minutes of arrival, and crews worked extensively to assist with salvage efforts.

We are sad to report that crews could not save the family cat. Our thoughts are with the family. The fire was determined to be unintentional. Even though the fire damage was small, the home is currently unhabitable due to smoke damage.

This was our second structure fire in seven days, with crews quickly extinguishing a Kitchen fire at 100 South Street last Sunday.

We want to thank our mutual aid partners who assisted with this fire and covered the City while we worked this fire.