BUILDING FIRE - 59 BROOKLYN ST - On Saturday September 5, 2020 at approximately 11:34 P.M., the Barre City Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 59 Brooklyn Street in Barre City. The first arriving unit found smoke and fire coming from the second-floor windows of the five-unit apartment building.

Shortly after arrival, the Incident Commander was notified that all occupants were out of the building, however with simultaneous fire attack further search tactics were performed to guarantee full evacuation. Two occupants were transported to Central Vermont Medical Center, one 17 year old female was injured while jumping from the building, the second, an adult female was transported due to smoke related issues. One elderly female was removed from the building by neighbors and police officers from Barre City Police Department.

Due to the size and nature of the fire, mutual aid assistance was called for and provided by Montpelier Fire Local 2287,

Barre Town Fire Department, Williamstown VT Fire Department, Berlin Volunteer Fire Department, Barre Town EMS, Williamstown Ambulance, and East Montpelier Fire Department covered Barre City Fire Department.

There is moderate to severe smoke and fire damage to the structure. The building seems to be structurally sound and will be evaluated for rehabilitation by insurance officials. The American Red Cross was on scene to provide occupants with temporary housing. There were no firefighter injuries sustained.

Barre City Fire Investigators with assistance from the Vermont State Police and Vermont Division of Fire Safety Fire Investigations Unit will be working to determine the cause of the fire during the next few days.

The fire was under control within 3 hours of dispatch, however cleanup took several hours and a crew remained on scene overnight to assure that the fire was completely extinguished.

All units appeared to have working smoke detectors, however it appeared that the fire was initially on the exterior of the building, which prevented early detector activation. Occupants of the building called 9-1-1 to report the fire.