Entered a structure and could hear fire from the first-floor apartment. Listened to the open basement door and heard nothing, so decided to enter the apartment. Zero visibility. Advanced forward down a hallway. Could hear crackling. Started to become disoriented due to low visibility. Called a mayday. While attempting to exit down the hallway, I encountered a spongy floor and could see that fire had burned through it from the basement. I tried to skirt the hole, but the floor was very soft. Turned the other way, not knowing if there was an exit that way. Followed the wall and found a window after about a minute. Broke the window out and bailed out to the front porch.
LESSONS LEARNED: Inadequate size-up. Should have progressed to the basement first to confirm if there was a fire. Lack of hand tools for each team member. It should have sounded the floor as we progressed. Mayday could have used more detail on the best-known location.
BENNINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10) — An investigation is underway following a structure fire in Bennington on Saturday, according to the Bennington Fire Department. The incident reportedly occurred at an unoccupied building at 807 Gage Street.
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene just before 8:15 a.m. following a report of heavy smoke at the back of the structure. Upon arrival, crews confirmed that the fire was on the first and second floors as well as the building’s stairwell.
According to Bennington officials, firefighters entered the building through a door near the back. The initial crew reportedly encountered heavy smoke, heat, and weakened floors, causing them to become disoriented and call a “mayday” signal.
One firefighter also became separated from his team but was unable to return to his original position because the blaze had started to burn through the floor, the fire department said. All crews were ordered out of the building, and the separated firefighter was reportedly able to escape through a window onto the front porch
No injuries were reported in Saturday’s fire, according to the Bennington Fire Department. Mutual aid and assistance were provided by the Bennington Rural Fire Department, Shaftsbury Fire Department, and the Bennington Police Department.
Authorities said the cause of the fire is considered suspicious at this time. An investigation remains ongoing.
