Carbon Monoxide Incident Safely Mitigated After Basement Flooding in Vergennes
Photo by City Of Vergennes Fire DepartmentHose lines and power cables are routed from the exterior as firefighters prepare to ventilate and pump out a flooded basement during a carbon monoxide response.
Photo by City Of Vergennes Fire DepartmentVergennes firefighters wearing air packs stand by as ventilation and monitoring operations continue outside the residence.
Photo by City Of Vergennes Fire DepartmentCrews confer near the front of the home while coordinating interior monitoring and exterior mitigation efforts.
Photo by City Of Vergennes Fire DepartmentFirefighters prepare for entry at the front door, with ventilation equipment staged to help clear carbon monoxide from the structure.
Photo by City Of Vergennes Fire DepartmentAn exterior basement access point is used to deploy pumps and hoses to remove several feet of floodwater.
On the morning of December 20, 2025, the City of Vergennes Fire Department (VFD) responded to a reported carbon monoxide (CO) incident in a residential building after an alert from Vermont Gas. The call came in following a rapid thaw and heavy rainfall, which led to significant basement flooding at the residence.
Upon arrival, crews discovered several feet of water in the basement. The flooding had caused a malfunction in a heating appliance, resulting in elevated carbon monoxide levels inside the structure. Firefighters immediately initiated a coordinated response to protect the occupants and eliminate the hazard.
Interior crews made entry to meter the structure for CO levels and assess conditions, while exterior crews established ventilation and deployed pumps through an exterior basement access point. Using specialized equipment, VFD members successfully removed the floodwater and ventilated the building until carbon monoxide readings returned to safe levels.
Once the atmosphere was confirmed to be clear and the hazard fully mitigated, the incident was turned back over to Vermont Gas and the homeowner for follow-up repairs and restoration. No injuries were reported.
The Vergennes Fire Department reminds residents that flooding, especially during winter thaws, can impact heating systems and create dangerous conditions. If you suspect carbon monoxide or experience symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, or nausea, leave the building immediately and call 911.
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