KENT, Conn.—The Kent Volunteer Fire Department, with the assistance of mutual aid companies from surrounding towns, made a “really great stop” Saturday, Aug. 1, when they contained a fire that erupted on the second floor of a Bulls Bridge Road residence.
Fire Chief Tim Sneller said the fire department was dispatched at about 4 p.m. and the first apparatus arrived on scene in 13 minutes. A few firefighters, including Sneller, responded directly to the scene and reported heavy smoke coming from the second floor. “It feels like an eternity waiting for the trucks to arrive,” Sneller said.
“We made a hard push to the second floor and were able to extinguish quite a bit of the fire quickly,” Sneller said. Other firefighters ventilated the building, and the Red Cross was called to arrange accommodations for the couple who live there. The male resident received medical care for smoke inhalation.
“He was in the house trying to put the fire out when we arrived,” the fire chief said.
The Kent fire department was assisted by the Gaylordsville, Cornwall, Water Witch, Northville, Sherman, Warren, J.H Ketcham, Roxbur,y and Pawling, N.Y., fire departments as well as the Blue Crew from Wassaic Fire Rescue in New York.
“We did have a bunch of companies,” Sneller said, extending his thanks to all the volunteers. “It’s always easier to turn them around if you don’t need them than it is to need them and not have them there.”
He said there was no problem with having sufficient water to tackle the blaze. “Unfortunately, the house did sustain some damage,” he reported, “but the majority of the structure is still there, and they should be able to rebuild. Most of the damage is on the second floor.”
The fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
Great coverage. So important to understand and see how the community comes together to help and support ALL residents. Even though I no longer live in Macedonia, tracking the events of Kent gives me GREAT comfort. Look forward to another return visit…