STRUCTURE FIRE – CHAMPLAIN VALLEY FAIRGROUNDS

October 7, 2026 | 10:18 a.m.

This morning, the Essex Junction Fire Department, along with automatic mutual aid from Essex Fire and Essex Rescue, responded to a reported structure fire at the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds grandstand, located at 105 Pearl Street.

Assistant Chief Kellogg arrived in Car 9 approximately three minutes after dispatch and reported smoke showing from the grandstand. He was met by on-scene workers who directed him to a room they believed to have been where the fire was.

Essex Fire Department's Engine 2 was the first suppression apparatus on scene as they had just finished a fire education class on Morse Drive, followed shortly by EJFD Ladder 3, which had been delayed due to a locked gate. Firefighters located a fire involving combustible materials in a storage room that had extended into concealed spaces above an adjacent maintenance room. Crews accessed the fire by opening ceilings, advancing additional hoselines, and extinguishing fire that had spread into concealed spaces. Wind conditions contributed to rapid fire growth, creating additional challenges for responding firefighters.

A second alarm was requested approximately 12 minutes into the incident, bringing additional resources to the scene. At the height of operations, 35 emergency personnel and 10 apparatus were operating at the incident.

The main body of fire was knocked down at 10:40 a.m. Firefighters continued working to remove significant quantities of stored materials, open concealed spaces, and extinguish remaining fire. The investigation began at approximately 11:30 a.m., after the fire was fully extinguished.

The fire was determined to be accidental, caused by hot welding spatter falling onto combustible materials stored on shelving below the work area. No injuries were reported, and damage was limited to two interior rooms.

EJFD responded with Car 9, Ladder 3, Engine 7, and Engine 5, with ten department personnel responding.

We appreciate the response and support of our mutual-aid partners from Essex Fire, Essex Rescue, Williston Fire, St. Michael's Fire & Rescue, Winooski Fire, and the Vermont Air National Guard Fire Department. These departments assisted with fireground operations, including extensive overhaul and salvage.

Fire Safety Reminder: Welding and other hot work activities can ignite combustible materials, even when the materials are located below or away from the immediate work area. Proper preparation, removal or protection of combustibles, and appropriate fire-watch procedures are essential to preventing these incidents.