Sterling, CT — A fire tore through an outbuilding Saturday evening, but firefighters were able to save two dogs and protect nearby buildings.
At approximately 7 PM on Saturday, April 19th, 2025, a 1st alarm was struck for a reported garage fire at 876 Gibson Hill Rd. While units were responding, Quinebaug Valley Emergency Communications (QVEC) dispatchers indicated they had taken multiple calls reporting a working fire.
The first Fire Officer on the scene reported a well-involved outbuilding with an active brush fire, and additional nearby buildings begining to catch fire. The first apparatus arrived minutes later, immediately deployed a 1.75″ bumper line, getting water on the fire within 10 minutes of dispatch. Crews quickly learned there were two dogs in one of the nearby buildings and moved them to safety. When the second engine arrived on the scene, it laid 5″ LDH up the 600′ dirt driveway connecting the attack apparatus to tankers staged on the roadway.
Crews quickly extinguished the bulk of the 20×20 outbuilding and transitioned into fighting the brush fire as additional personnel arrived on the scene. The brush fire had grown to approximately 1/2 acre but was slowed by a stone wall. Additional handlines were deployed from the initial engines on scene, and a UTV and Indian Packs (backpack pump bladders) were brought in to assist with the brush fire. Crews had to remove several hazardous dead trees, which had allowed the fire to climb approximately 50′ to the canopy.
During the incident, a small contingent of crews from the 1st alarm were reallocated to an illegal burn which got out of control and burned approximately an acre on Ekonk Hill Rd.
No injuries to humans or animals were reported during the incident.
The structure fire is under investigation by the Sterling Fire Marshal’s Office.
Crews cleared the scene of both incidents at approximately 9:15 PM.
Agenices that responded included the Sterling Fire Department, Oneco Fire Department, South Killingly Fire Department, Danielson Fire Department, Atwood Hose Fire Company, Moosup Fire Department, Plainfield Fire Company #1, Moosup Valley Fire Department, and American Legion Ambulance.
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