Putnam, CT – The quick action of the Animal Hospital of Putnam employees enabled multiple people and pets to escape the building when an exterior electrical meter went up in flames Wednesday afternoon.
At approximately 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024, the East Putnam Fire Department was dispatched to the Animal Hospital of Putnam, 1 Kennedy Dr, for reports of an electrical meter on fire.
When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found an exterior electrical meter arching and a heavy smoke condition in the building. An employee had utilized multiple fire extinguishers, inside and outside the building, before the fire department arrived to keep the fire in check as employees got themselves and all pets out of the building.
With the meter still being energized, crews were forced to utilize dry chemical fire extinguishers as the meter repeatedly re-ignited. Firefighters were able to keep the fire in check until Eversource arrived to shut off power to the building.
As exterior crews controlled the fire at the meter, additional crews searched the structure to ensure all occupants were safely evacuated. When the building was successfully searched, the crew transitioned to monitoring the interior wall with thermal cameras, ensuring the fire did not extend into the building.
Damage to the building was limited largely to the electrical meter with minimal extension to the structure.
One employee was evaluated on the scene by Putnam EMS but refused transport to the hospital.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Putnam Fire Marhsal’s Office.
Agencies on the scene included the East Putnam Fire Department, Putnam Fire Department, Putnam EMS, Putnam Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Putnam Building Inspector.
