Basement Fire - Orchard Terrace

At 3:44am on August 4th, Essex Junction Fire was dispatched for a working fire at 20 Orchard Terrace, City of Essex Junction. Essex Town Fire and Essex Rescue were also dispatched as automatic mutual aid. While en route, this was upgraded to a second alarm to bring in additional resources from Williston, St. Michael's, Vermont Air Guard, and Winooski.

EJFD's Capt. Westphal reported directly to the scene, arriving at 03:48am and reported a basement fire with light smoke showing and no obvious fire.

EJFD Car 9 arrived on scene at 03:52am, assumed command, and directed Engine 7 to fire attack. The Incident Commander was met by an Essex Police Officer, who reported that the resident had knocked down the fire with two dry-chem fire extinguishers upon discovering it.

Essex Junction crews conducted overhaul of the fire area and reported the fire out. Mutual aid companies from Williston, Vermont Air Guard, and Winooski were returned to service during their response.

The fire was determined to have been caused by a heating element igniting a piece of furniture. There were 4 adults and 2 children asleep at the time of the fire. Working interconnected smoke detectors alerted the residents to the fire. The alert was early in the process, allowing the resident to use easily available fire extinguishers to control the fire. This is a reminder of how interconnected smoke detectors and properly placed and easily accessible fire extinguishers can save lives and property.

There were no injuries to residents or firefighters. The residents were able to return to their home. Crews cleared at 04:22am.

EJFD responded with Car 9, Engine 7, Ladder 3, and 11 Personnel.