Chimney Fire Prompts 1st Alarm in Thompson
Thompson, Conn. - At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Monday, October 9th, 2023, the Community Fire Company, along with auto-aide from Quinebaug’s Ladder 183, were dispatched to 124 Wagher Rd for a reported chimney fire.
According to Community Fire Company’s Assistant Chief Gene Raymond, the first fire officer on the scene found smoke showing from an exterior light fixture and the eaves of the split-level home. Upon further investigation, a heavy smoke condition was found in the attic, prompting the officer to upgrade the assignment to a 1st alarm structure fire.
As additional firefighters began to arrive on the scene, the initial attack crew found that the fire was still contained to the chimney, but a crack had allowed the attic to be charged with smoke. Crews were able to knock the blockage in the chimney down to the stove below with chimney chains (metal weights attached to chains that are lowered from the roof) allowing the fire to be extinguished.
While much of the 1st alarm assignment was not put to use, had the fire truly extended to the attic, sufficient personnel would have been in place to properly fight the fire. Due to the Community Fire Company being made up fully of volunteers, their 1st alarm assignment brings in 3 of the 4 other Thompson departments along with Dudley and Webster.
Assistant Chief Raymond went on to explain, that as overnight temperatures begin to drop, homeowners should remember to have their chimneys cleaned and inspected to ensure they are in proper working condition prior to firing them up for the season. There is the potential for creosote to have built up from the previous winter, as well as nests formed by animals in the summer months to create chimney fires.
No injuries were reported on the scene.
The incident remains under investigation by the Thompson Fire Marshall’s Office.
Agencies that responded, or were dispatched, included: the Community Fire Company, Quinebaug Volunteer Fire Department, Thompson Hill Fire Engine Company, East Thompson Volunteer Fire Department, East Putnam Fire Department, Dudley Fire Department, and the Webster Fire Department.
