Tag Archives: Vermont

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Townshend, VT – Sprinklers help control attic fire at assisted living facility

Valley Cares was evacuated Monday evening after a lightning strike caused a fire in the attic of the assisted living facility.

Just after 5 p.m. 39 residents were transported down the road to Leland & Gray Union High School after the fire alarm and sprinkler system alerted staff to the fire in the attic.

Valley Cares Executive Director Susanne Shapiro said she did not know the condition of the building, though she said the facility would remain closed until a safety inspector could tour the damaged section of the building Tuesday.

“Everybody is safe. The staff did exactly what they were trained to do,” Shapiro said. “Most of our residents are able to go home with family, and for anyone who can not go home, we will find a place for them to stay tonight.”

Townshend Volunteer Fire Department Safety Officer Dale West said the call came in just after 5 p.m., and the blaze was quickly toned to a three-alarm fire due to the large number of residents who had to be evacuated.

West said the sprinkler system helped control the fire and it was quickly extinguished.

A portion of the building did sustain significant water damage and West said a state safety inspector would walk through the structure Tuesday before anyone would be allowed back into their apartments.

“It could have been much worse,” West said. “It’s always hard to get to a fire in an attic, but the sprinkler system saved the day and they’re going to have to start cleaning up tomorrow.”

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Stratton Mountain, VT – Fire at ski resort lodge controlled with help from sprinkler system

A chimney fire damaged sections of the Stratton Mountain base lodge Tuesday morning. No one was hurt in the fire that started in Grizzly’s Bar and Restaurant, located on the second floor of the lodge, and was discovered around 5:30 a.m. 

Stratton Mountain Resort officials stated that the fire was contained to Grizzly’s kitchen and was put out with help from local fire companies, Stratton employees and the sprinkler system. 

“There was no one in the building,” said Stratton Mountain Marketing Director Myra Foster. “We’re meeting with the fire marshal and the inspector to determine clean-up steps and get an ETA on reopening.”

Shops in the village were operating along with lifts, Foster told the Reformer around 9:15 a.m. At that time, yellow caution tape was keeping people out of the lodge. Members of the Stratton Mountain Volunteer Fire Department were seen walking into the first floor from a rear access near the parking lot while a Winhall Fire Department truck was parked near another access by the gondola with hoses running into the building.

Damage beyond the kitchen was mostly due to water and clean up was under way. Guest services, ticket windows, Stratton Sports, bag check and rentals will be open in the base lodge.

Officials hope to have the building, besides the kitchen, fully operation by the weekend. But that will depend upon fire marshal approval.  Foster said the Stratton department was the first to respond.

“There was damage to the food and beverage office in getting access to the fire and we’re assessing damage,” she said. “The east wing was unaffected. There is water damage in the west wing.”

Visitors to the ski resort were being directed to park at Sun Bowl, another section of the mountain with parking and a base lodge. Skiers and snowboarders could then get back to the main base area where other services were still in operation. According to a snow report, eight lifts and 97 trails were open.

Apartment Building, Residential

Automatic fire sprinkler system helps minimize damage in apartment fire (Brattleboro, VT)

A fire that originated inside a Western Avenue building early Thursday morning left only one room and part of the roof damaged. The building was totally occupied at the time of the fire, Brattleboro Fire Chief Mike Bucossi said. According to Bucossi, the fire started where the vent pipe furnace comes off the pellet furnace. It traveled up the wall and into the attic space.  “Two of the sprinkler heads activated and it really helped to contain the fire,” said Bucossi. “It made a big difference in the overall outcome of how serious this fire could have been.”

Residence Hall/Dormitory, Residential

Fire sprinklers prove worth in college dormitory fire (Burlington, VT)

Fire departments responded to a fire at a college dormitory at about 2:45 a.m. on Thursday. The apartment, which was being renovated, was saved from extensive fire damage by the installed fire sprinkler system. The sprinklers, upon activation from the heat of the fire, then automatically alerted the local emergency response units. The fire was extinguished within ten minutes. Investigators have deemed the fire as arson.

Apartment Building, Residential

Residential complex fire put out with help from fire sprinkler system (Winooski, VT)