Colchester Fire Department, 781 Blakely Road, Colchester, VT (2026)

08/24/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Structure Fire - 170 Cashman Road

At approximately 1:50 p.m. today, August 23, the Colchester Fire Department and St. Michael’s Fire Department were dispatched to 170 Cashman Road for a reported activated fire alarm.

Engine-9 was the first apparatus to arrive and found no visible signs of fire from the exterior of the building. Firefighters were met by St. Michael’s Public Safety personnel, who reported an odor of burning paper in the stairwell.

Upon entering the building, crews encountered a light smoke condition in the stairwell and began investigating. As firefighters reached the third floor, they encountered a moderate smoke condition and discovered water flowing from an activated sprinkler system. Crews traced the activation to a third-floor dorm room and could hear a sprinkler operating inside.

Firefighters forced entry into the room and located a kitchen fire that had been contained by the activation of a single sprinkler head. Crews quickly confirmed the fire was extinguished and worked to control and shut down the sprinkler system.

Firefighters then conducted overhaul operations to confirm there was no extension of the fire into surrounding areas of the building. Due to water from the activated sprinkler system affecting multiple floors, utilities to the building were secured.

The Vermont State Fire Investigation Team was requested to assist with determining the origin and cause of the fire. At this time, the cause remains under investigation.

The Colchester Fire Department would like to thank the Essex Fire Department for providing coverage to the Town of Colchester while crews operated at the incident.

08/17/2026

Mutual Aid - Burlington, VT

At approximately 10:49 p.m. on August 16, 2026, the Colchester Fire Department was requested to provide mutual aid to the City of Burlington while Burlington Fire Department units operated at a structure fire.

Colchester Fire responded with a ladder truck and personnel to provide station coverage, ensuring continued fire protection and emergency response capability within the City while Burlington crews remained committed to the incident.

08/11/2026

Boat Incident - Mallett’s Bay

Structure Fire - Essex Jct.

The Colchester Fire Department responded to two incidents overnight involving both marine operations and mutual aid assistance.

Shortly after 9:00 p.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026, the Colchester Fire Department Marine Unit was requested to respond to the area near the Sand Bar for a report of an overturned kayak. Limited information was available at the time of the initial dispatch.

Fireboat-5 responded by water while a command unit responded to the designated staging area. Following an investigation and the receipt of additional information, crews determined the incident involved an unoccupied vessel that had been observed during the severe weather moving through the area. The incident was subsequently determined to be a good-intent call, and no emergency assistance was required.

Several hours later, during the early morning hours of Tuesday, August 11, the Colchester Fire Department was requested to provide mutual aid to the City of Essex Junction for a third-alarm fire involving an apartment building. The incident was later upgraded to a fourth alarm as additional resources were requested.

Colchester responded with an engine, tower ladder, and command unit to assist with operations at the scene.

08/08/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Haz-Mat - 784 Hercules Drive

At approximately 11:12 a.m. on August 7, 2026, the Colchester Fire Department was dispatched to 784 Hercules Drive in Colchester for a reported odor of gas inside the building.

Crews arrived on scene with no visible hazards noted from the exterior and began an investigation inside the building. During the initial assessment, firefighters utilized atmospheric monitoring equipment and detected readings indicating carbon monoxide (CO) levels of up to approximately 80 parts per million (ppm).

As the investigation continued, personnel from a neighboring business advised crews that a forklift was being charged inside their building and believed the batteries may have been off-gassing. An additional fire crew investigated the neighboring business and detected meter readings indicating approximately 90 ppm of carbon monoxide.

Due to the elevated readings, involvement of multiple businesses, and uncertainty regarding the source, the Incident Commander requested assistance from the Vermont Hazardous Materials Response Team.

Fire crews continued atmospheric monitoring and identified isolated elevated readings between the original dispatched address and the adjacent business. Upon arrival, members of the State Haz-Mat Team conducted additional monitoring and determined that carbon monoxide was not the source of the readings. Instead, hydrogen gas being released during the charging of the forklift batteries was identified as the cause.

Many standard electrochemical carbon monoxide sensors can experience cross-sensitivity to hydrogen. Because hydrogen can produce a response on certain CO sensors, the meter may display an apparent carbon monoxide reading even when hydrogen is the gas actually present.

This incident is a good example of why additional resources and subject-matter experts are requested during incidents involving unknown substances or potentially hazardous materials. While initial monitoring provides firefighters with critical information, specialized equipment and expertise may be necessary to accurately identify the hazard and determine the appropriate mitigation measures.

Colchester Fire Department personnel worked alongside the State of Vermont Hazardous Materials Response Team to mitigate the hazard and ventilate the affected areas. Atmospheric conditions were monitored until the buildings were determined to be safe and no further hazards were present.

08/06/2026

Boat Fire - Mallett’s Bay

This afternoon, at approximately 4:24 p.m. on Thursday, August 6, the Colchester Fire Department, Colchester Rescue Squad, Colchester Technical Rescue, and Colchester Police Department were dispatched to a reported boat fire in Malletts Bay. The initial report, received through the United States Coast Guard, indicated the exact location of the vessel was unknown.

While responding, dispatch received updated information that the vessel was located just North of Bayside Park, with two occupants still aboard. Fireboat-5 quickly located the sailboat and, upon arrival, found no visible fire. Crews determined that a nearby boater had already begun extinguishing the fire prior to Fireboat-5’s arrival.

Firefighters checked for any remaining hot spots, and confirmed there were no additional hazards. Both occupants safely remained aboard the vessel, and no injuries were reported.

The fire is believed to have been caused by a lightning strike to the sailboat’s mast, which ignited contents stored in the aft storage compartment.

07/29/2026

Vehicle Rollover - Interstate 89

At approximately 8:23 a.m. on July 29, 2026, the Colchester Fire Department, Colchester Rescue Squad, and Saint Michael's College Fire and Rescue were dispatched to Interstate 89 Northbound near Exit 16 for a reported single-vehicle rollover with unknown injuries or hazards.

Crews arrived on scene and located a single SUV on its side just north of Exit 16. The sole occupant of the vehicle had self-extricated prior to the arrival of emergency personnel.

The occupant was evaluated by EMS and transported to the University of Vermont Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Fire crews remained on scene while the vehicle was safely removed and the roadway was cleared.

For any inquiries please contact:
Assistant Chief Christopher Brown
[email protected]

07/25/2026

Mutual Aid Response – Lake Champlain

Just after 3:00 p.m. today, July 25, 2026, the Colchester Fire Department was requested to provide mutual aid for a reported fully involved boat fire with three occupants in the water near Stave Island on the broad lake.

Fireboat 5 responded and located the incident just South of Valcour Island. Fire suppression efforts had been initiated by other responding agencies prior to Fireboat 5’s arrival. Once on scene, Colchester personnel assisted with suppression efforts and performed minor overhaul to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.

Other agencies on scene assisted the three occupants of the vessel and ensured they were safely accounted for.

Once suppression and overhaul operations were completed, Fireboat 5 cleared the scene and returned to service.

07/23/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Unknown Hazard - Main Street

At approximately 12:25 p.m. on July 23, 2026, the Colchester Fire Department, Colchester Rescue Squad, Colchester Police Department, and Saint Michael's College Fire and Rescue were dispatched to 898 Main Street following reports of an unusual odor inside the building after employees were using commercial clothing dye products. Several individuals reported feeling ill after preparing the materials.

A Colchester Fire Department Chief Officer arrived first on scene and confirmed the building was fully evacuated. Fire and EMS personnel evaluated the situation while gathering information from employees, who advised that a commercial dye product underwent an unexpected reaction, producing an unusual odor during preparation.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Incident Commander requested assistance from the Vermont Hazardous Materials Response Team to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the building. The HazMat Team performed atmospheric monitoring throughout the facility and found normal atmospheric conditions with no hazardous gases or contaminants detected.

One individual sought further medical evaluation and was transported by a coworker. Fire and Rescue personnel remained on scene until the HazMat investigation was complete. Once the building was determined to be safe for occupancy, it was turned back over to the employees.

For all inquiries please contact:
Assistant Chief Christopher Brown
[email protected]

07/17/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Vehicle Fire - Interstate 89

Shortly after 3:00 a.m. this morning, July 17, 2025, the Colchester Fire Department, Colchester Rescue Squad, and Saint Michael's College Fire and Rescue were dispatched to Interstate 89 southbound near mile marker 93.8 for the report of a fully involved truck fire with a reported burn injury.

Upon arrival, crews found a truck with a fixed tank fully involved in fire. Firefighters quickly determined that the vehicle was not transporting hazardous materials and immediately initiated fire suppression operations.

Due to the extent of the fire and the limited on-scene water supply, a tanker from the VTANG Fire Department was requested to assist with water supply operations.

Colchester Rescue evaluated the truck’s sole occupant at the scene. The individual declined further medical treatment and transport.

During suppression operations, the southbound lanes of Interstate 89 were temporarily closed to ensure the safety of emergency personnel and the traveling public. One lane of traffic was reopened approximately 30 minutes later while crews completed overhaul and cleanup operations.

For all inquiries please contact:
Assistant Chief Christopher Brown
[email protected]

07/05/2026

Public Event - Colchester, VT

The Colchester Fire Department was proud to participate in this year’s Town Parade and help celebrate another great community event with our residents and visitors.

Later in the evening, department members staffed apparatus and provided fire coverage during the fireworks display, helping ensure the event concluded safely for everyone in attendance.

A special thank you to the Colchester Parks & Recreation Department for organizing another outstanding parade and fireworks celebration. We appreciate all of the hard work and planning that goes into making these events a success for our community.

We hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend!

Colchester Fire Department

08/24/2026

08/17/2026

08/11/2026

08/08/2026

08/06/2026

07/29/2026

07/25/2026

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