An automatic fire alarm turned into the type of call no firefighter wants to hear, the fire was at the firehouse itself.Shortly after 3 a.m. on July 28, 2026, members of Coldenham Fire-Rescue responded to their headquarters in the Town of Montgomery/Walden, New York, where they encountered a working fire involving the station and apparatus area.

As conditions developed, neighboring fire departments and emergency-service agencies responded through mutual aid, providing personnel, apparatus and additional resources. Crews worked together to bring the fire under control while Coldenham members attempted to save equipment and apparatus from their own station.

Five firefighters suffered smoke inhalation and minor injuries during the incident and were transported to area hospitals. All five were later released.

The fire caused extensive damage to the station and multiple pieces of apparatus. Coldenham Fire-Rescue Chief Matthew Hunt described the incident as “the unimaginable,” but emphasized that the department remained operational despite its losses.

“Our station may be severely damaged, our rigs may be mostly destroyed but rest assured we are still here,” Hunt said. Members immediately began cleaning up, inventorying equipment and working to restore operations while continuing to answer calls with limited resources.

Hunt also thanked the departments that came to Coldenham's aid, saying, “We appreciate all our mutual aid partners who responded this morning to assist us with our fire.”

That support continued long after the fire was brought under control. Neighboring departments, emergency-service organizations, businesses and community members offered equipment, assistance, food and other support. In a later statement, Coldenham members said the response reminded them “that the fire service is one family, and that our community stands together during difficult times.”

The New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control took responsibility for the origin-and-cause investigation. Until a final determination is released, any reported potential ignition source should be considered preliminary.

Fire apparatus can be replaced and stations can be rebuilt, but incidents like this demonstrate why mutual aid extends far beyond equipment and manpower. When one department's own house became the fireground, the emergency-services community answered. As Coldenham's members said afterward, “the fire service is one family.”