Quick Fire Department Response Saves Killingly Home

Killingly, CT – A 5-minute response time allowed Killingly firefighters to contain a basement fire before it consumed a home Tuesday afternoon.

At approximately 3 p.m. on Tuesday, February 20th, 2024, South Killingly Firefighters were clearing the scene of a medical call when they were dispatched, along with the Danielson Fire Department, for reports of black smoke in the basement of a residence at 199 Cranberry Bog Rd. With responders already in the area, the first unit arrived within approximately 5 minutes.

According to Chief Travis Vandale, South Killingly Fire Department, crews arrived to find smoke showing from a rear bulkhead and the front door of a 2 story dwelling. A working fire was transmitted to Quinebaug Valley Emergency Communication (QVEC) and a 1st alarm assignment was requested bringing mutual aid from multiple area departments to the scene.

The initial crew made contact with the occupants verifying that everyone had made it safely out of the home before entering the basement via the rear bulkhead and aggressively attacking the small fire burning within the room. Additional crews quickly arrived to assist and the fire was knocked down within 15 minutes of dispatch (10 minutes from the first unit’s arrival). With the fire largely extinguished, the 1st alarm assignment was canceled en route. Crews remained on the scene for approximately 2.5 hours overhauling and supporting the fire investigation.

One resident was transported to Day Kimball Hospital for possible smoke inhalation. No responders sustained any injuries during the incident.

The Killingly Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

Agencies that responded, or were dispatched, included the South Killingly Fire Department, Danielson Fire Department, East Killingly Fire Department, Mortlake Fire Company, Moosup Fire Department, Attawaugan Fire Department, KB Ambulance, and KB Ambulance’s QV Medic.

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