Killingly, CT – Firefighters responded to a fire within the turbine of the Vistra Energy power plant on Alexander Parkways Thursday afternoon.
At approximately 4 pm on Thursday, June 3rd, 2024, members of the Dayville Fire Company, along with apparatus from the Williamsville Fire Engine Co. and Attawaugan Fire Department were dispatched to 56 Alexander Parkways, Vistra Energy, for reports of a gas turbine smoking.
According to Chief Mike Shabenas, Dayville Fire Company, crews arrived to find heavy smoke within a two-story gas turbine. Crews immediately made entry to both floors and started working the fire. A pipe containing flammable liquid [likely hydraulic fluid] burst and made contact with other hot pipes causing a fire which then spread under layers of insulation. Due to the fire burning under the insulation, the suppression system failed to reach the fire when activated by employees. While cutting away at the insulation would have been labor-intensive on a normal day, the heat within the turbine room and outside made the task significantly more difficult for firefighters.
Knowing the incident would be labor intensive with an elevated risk of heat casualties Chief Shabenas requested a Firefighter Assisted Search Team (FAST) from East Putnam, in case a firefighter went down in the building and brought the remaining Killingly departments to quarters in case they were needed. A short time later all Killingly departments were brought to the scene to assist with manpower as well as a KB Ambulance, Atwood Hose as an additional FAST, Pomfret to handle any secondary calls in town, and the Killingly Rehab Team.
Crews remained on the scene for approximately an hour and a half extinguishing the fire and overhauling.
Chief Shabenas explained that the Dayville Fire Company and mutual aid, train at the facility multiple times a year. The facility is extremely safety-oriented and collaborates with the local fire department whenever possible.
The Killingly Rehab Team and KB Ambulance supported operations on the scene ensuring firefighters were hydrated and not suffering from heat injuries. The Rehab Unit also provides regular vitals throughout the incident to ensure no unseen injuries are occurring. No firefighters sustained any injuries during the incident.
Chief Shabenas finished by thanking all of the mutual aid departments who responded and stating it was a “Great team effort by these local fire departments which was really good to see.”
Agencies that responded, or were dispatched, included the Dayville Fire Company, Attawaugan Fire Department, Williamsville Fire Engine Company, Danielson Fire Department, South Killingly Fire Department, East Killingly Fire Department, East Putnam Fire Department (FAST), Atwood Hose Fire Company (FAST), Pomfret Fire Department, KB Ambulance, and the Killingly Rehab Team.