GRAFTON, NY - On March 3rd, the Grafton Fire Department was dispatched with mutual aid from the Petersburg Fire Department and Eagle Mills Fire Department to the scene of a reported structure fire with multiple calls coming in for 2923 Route 2 in the Town of Grafton.

As the fire departments were being dispatched to the scene, off duty east Greenbush firefighter and 33-year veteran of the department, Christopher Dick, was driving by with his daughter when they saw the fire and smoke coming from the side of the house. Christopher quickly pulled off and grabbed his two brand new fire extinguishers that he recently purchased for his jeep club in Grafton and had the neighbor call 911. Chris made his way to the side door of the home and realized he had a working kitchen fire that was well-involved. Chris made sure that everybody was out of the home and deployed his fire extinguishers, knocking down a large majority of the heavy fire condition. Christopher pulled the door shut, preventing any more oxygen from reaching the fire room from the outside.

Grafton’s first arriving engine on scene deployed a one-and-three-quarter-inch hand line to the front door and firefighters from the Eagle Mills and Petersburg Fire Departments arrived on scene right behind the first due engine. Firefighters utilized a one-and-three-quarter-inch hand line and knocked down all of the remaining fire. Firefighters began to conduct overhaul of the fire scene, and while doing so, discovered the family's pet turtle and brought it outside to safety. Fire investigators arrived on scene and determined that the fire was accidental.

Thanks to East Greenbush Fire Department Firefighter Christopher Dick’s quick thinking and actions, the other portion of the house was saved. No injuries were reported, and firefighters went back into service a short time later.