By Layla Kalinen
EAGLE TIME STAFF
CHESTER, Vt.— A home has been deemed a total loss by a fire that broke out shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday evening that took four hours for responders to suppress. There were no fatalities or injuries but seven individuals and six animals are now without a home.
Chester Fire Department responded to a fire at a three story residence located at 1324 Route 103 North that ignited shortly after 8 p.m.
According to Chester Fire Chief Mathew Wilson, 17 local mutual aid responders assisted from Vermont and New Hampshire.
Chester Fire and Ambulance and fire departments of Ludlow, Ludlow Ambulance and fire departments of Proctorsville, Springfield, Rockingham, Ludlow, Bellows Falls, Reading, Windsor, Grafton, Saxtons River, Alstead, Westminster, North Walpole, Ascutney, Claremont and Red Cross assisted.
One hour earlier, the fire departments of Springfield, Rockingham, Ascutney, Westminster, Windsor, Rockingham and Bellows Falls had been in Springfield at a structure fire located on Park Street suppressing a structure fire that consumed nine out of 18 storage units, and took one life.
At approximately 8:30 once the fire in Springfield was manageable, the local seven mutual aid responders went to Chester to assist at the fire located at the Route 103 North residence.
Three adults, four juveniles, five dogs and two cats evacuated the residence after an attempt to put the fire out with an extinguisher failed. A resident immediately called Chester Fire Dispatch as the family evacuated.
It was determined to be unsuspicious and the cause determined was a space heater running in an occupant’s room while they were not in the residence.
According to Chief Wilson, Responders on the scene were Chester Ambulance Service who confirmed all persons and pets out of the building.
“Fire was showing from roughly 75% of the building with the only room not showing fire being floor one of the left side of the structure. Chester Engine 2 arrived shortly after and personnel deployed two 1 3/4 lines on the South (delta) side and began pushing into the structure making an offensive attack. Proctorsville and Springfield were assigned to the second half of the structure on the North (bravo) side,” Wilson wrote in a press release issued early Monday afternoon describing the tactical strategy, “Proctorsville deployed lines while Springfield began setting up the platform. Water supply was requested from Proctorsville in the area of 87 VT RT 103 North.”
Wilson described the fire as being compromised by the level of heat and the pattern of the fire being on the Northside three floor interior and west side second floor front exterior and interior.
“Due to temperatures being 12 degrees, extra engine companies were requested. An aggressive interior attack continued for some time until the 2nd floor Flashed over and an Emergency Evacuation was declared and all interior crews were ordered out of the building,” Wilson wrote. “A defensive attack continued using Springfield’s tower and ground ladders. Once the second floor fire was knocked down again and an interior attack resumed but entry into the building was now limited due to the integrity of the building.”
Wilson said that the fire was beyond water being used to extinguish the blaze.
“The Fire was put under control at approximately 1:00 am on November 21, 2022. The entire building was foamed as our final attack and extinguishment,” Wilson wrote.
All units cleared the scene at approximately 1:30 a.m.
Anyone interested in donations to the family can contact the Vermont chapter of the American Red Cross located in Brattleboro at 1-800-733-2767 or Burlington, Vermont at 1-800-464-6692.
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