Electrical Fire Damages Dayville Multi-Family Residence
Killingly, Conn. - Firefighters battled a stubborn fire in a multi-family residence Saturday afternoon.
At approximately 5:07 p.m. on Saturday, July 29th, 2023, the Dayville Fire Company was dispatched to 522 Hartford Pike for a possible electrical panel fire.
Upon the arrival of Dayville Fire Department’s Chief Mike Shebenas, he said he spotted an individual waving him down a short way up the road and quickly realized that he was being waved to 552 Hartford Pike, where the fire truly was. This confusion likely occurred as the initial caller was calling 911 and evacuating the building. There was no delay to firefighting operations.
Chief Shebenas went on to tell Quiet Corner Alerts that a mutual aid chief called just after the initial dispatch to inform him multiple crews staffed and clearing the Plainfield Fireman’s muster should they be needed. With this knowledge, he knew exactly what resources he would be receiving when he subsequently upgraded the call to a 1st alarm structure fire. He explained that maintaining this type of communication within the Killingly Fire Departments is extremely helpful when operating incidents where mutual aid may be required.
With the fire building being elevated on a hill, with a narrow driveway, crews could only squeeze two Engine Tankers in the driveway forcing them to utilize a neighboring business’s parking lot to set up the Dayville Tower truck should roof operations be required.
Due to the driveway layout, numerous crews were also required to park apparatus on Hartford Pike, Route 101, and walk to the fire building. To protect crews working on the scene, and to facilitate laying hose across the roadway to a nearby hydrant, the Dayville and Williamsville Fire Police shut down Route 101 in both directions for the duration of the incident.
In addition to apparatus placement, crews were challenged with the construction layout within the structure itself. With three apartments inside the structure and a divided basement, a single crew could not chase the fire from its origin to its final location. As the fire spread within, likely following the electrical wiring, crews were required to exit the building and reenter through other access points. Numerous crews were utilized to fight the fire simultaneously to alleviate the need to exit and reentering of the structure repeatedly.
As crews were relieved within the building, they could immediately be seen removing their gear and being shuttled water, provided by exterior firefighters on the scene as well as the Killingly Rehab Unit stationed in an adjacent parking lot. Medical personnel were also standing by on the scene, providing evaluation and rehab of any firefighter in need.
The fire was placed under control after approximately an hour. With companies chasing hotspots in between floors and within walls, Chief Shebenas said he was cautious in placing the fire under control, ensuring that the fire was well within hand prior to making the call.
Chief Shebenas finished by extending his thanks to all of the mutual aid departments, stressing that everyone worked great together overcoming obstacles in order to get the fire under control.
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
The American Red Cross was on the scene but it is currently unclear if any of the residents required their assistance.
The fire is currently under investigation by the Killingly Fire Marshal’s Office.
Agencies who responded, or were dispatched, included the Dayville Fire Company, East Killingly Fire Department, Williamsville Fire Department, Danielson Fire Department, South Killingly Fire Department, Attawaugan Fire Department, East Putnam Fire Department, Atwood Hose Fire Company, Killingly Rehab Unit, KB Ambulance, Killingly Police Department, Killingly Building Inspector, the Killingly Fire Marshal’s Office, and the American Red Cross.
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