Overnight Fire Destroys Multiple Structures
Putnam, Conn. - An overnight fire in Putnam’s Special Service District destroyed a 3-bay garage and chicken coop but was stopped before causing significant damage to a nearby home (386 Church St) Wednesday evening.
At approximately 10:35 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29th, 2023, the Putnam Fire Department was dispatched to Church St for reports of a possible structure fire in the area. A resident on an adjacent road had seen the smoke and a glow and reported it to 911.
A Putnam Police Officer was the first on the scene at 386 Church St and reported a 3-bay garage was fully involved and the home was at risk.
According to Chief Bob Campbell, Putnam Fire Department, the first crew arrived on the scene and focused on protecting the home where the siding had caught fire. They were able to successfully hold the fire to the outside of the home and began focusing on the blaze within the garage.
As mutual aid companies began to arrive a full exterior attack began on the garage where numerous fuel tanks could be seen igniting throughout the fire. A chicken coop, situated behind the garage, was also completely involved by the time crews arrived on the scene.
Due to tight road and driveway conditions in the area crews were unable to bring fire apparatus onto the property so trucks were parked on the roadway and a 250’ length of hose (a standard setup for the area) was stretched up the 100’ driveway to the rear of the residence where the two fire structures stood.
To maintain access to water, a length of Large Diameter Hose (LDH) was laid between the attack engine and a hydrant 3 houses away. With the risk of hydrants failing always a possibility, mutual aid trucks were positioned to supply additional water should it be needed.
Crews were able to extinguish the fire within approximately 2 hours. While the garage still stands, it sustained heavy damage resulting in a total loss of the structure and contents. The nearby chicken coop was also a complete loss, along with an unknown number of chickens within.
Chief Campbell extended his thanks to the crews of the East Putnam Fire Department and Attawaugan Fire Department who responded mutual aid saying “We all work great and having them on the scene makes the job a lot easier.”
No injuries occurred as a result of the incident.
The incident is currently under investigation by the Putnam Fire Marshal.
Agencies that responded, or were dispatched, included: the Putnam Fire Department, East Putnam Fire Department, Attawaugan Fire Department, Putnam EMS, and Putnam Police Department.
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