KENT, Conn.—A little after 11 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16, residents living in the village were disturbed by the sound of an explosion.
Minutes later, the Kent Volunteer Fire Department responded to 4 North Main St., the Woodford General Store, where they found a hot fire at the rear of the building that was consuming a small open structure and scorching the exterior walls of the building and the adjacent building, home to the Swift Restaurant.
Three Kent units—Tower 1, Engine 2 and Engine Tanker 7—responded to the scene, where crews initiated an immediate and aggressive attack, knocking down the main body of fire within minutes and working to stop the fire from spreading between the two buildings.
Their rapid efforts successfully limited the incident to exterior fire damage on the east side of 4 North Main St. The building also sustained interior water damage caused both by the activation of the sprinkler system and the actions of the firefighters suppressing the blaze.Â
The adjacent property at 3 Maple St. sustained only minor exterior siding damage to the rear of the building with no interior involvement.Â
No injuries were reported.
Assistant Chief Wendell Soule commanded the scene while Assistant Chief Gary Hock served as operations officer.
Mutual aid assistance was provided by Gaylordsville, Warren, Wassaic, Northville and Sherman fire departments. The Cornwall Fire Department additionally provided station coverage for Kent during the incident.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Kent fire marshal , and further information will be released as it becomes available.
