At 9:52 p.m. on December 16, Mt. Bethel Fire Company was called into Martinsville to help with a probable structure fire after numerous callers reported heavy smoke coming from a home. Ladder 61 responded and arrived on the site, joining other units who were already investigating. When the Mt. Bethel crew arrived, they began opening ceilings and walls to look for concealed fires and possible extensions. These steps helped to prevent the fire from spreading farther within the structure.