Second-Alarm Fire Displaces Residents in Wilder

A second-alarm residential fire brought firefighters from both Vermont and New Hampshire to a home where crews encountered heavy fire conditions and conducted an interior attack. Three occupants escaped before firefighters arrived, with one person requiring hospital treatment.

At approximately 7:24 a.m. on September 18, 2026, the Hartford Fire Department was dispatched to 300 South Street in Wilder, Vermont, for a reported structure fire. The Lebanon Fire Chief was the first fire officer on scene at 7:30 a.m. and reported heavy fire and smoke from a first-floor window, with additional smoke showing from the second floor. A second alarm was requested at 7:37 a.m. as additional resources responded.

Hartford firefighters were assisted by Lebanon and Hanover fire departments from New Hampshire and Windsor Fire Department from Vermont. Crews advanced interior attack lines and brought the fire under control at approximately 7:49 a.m. Additional personnel continued checking for fire extension and conducting overhaul operations.

The three occupants awoke to smoke and fire conditions and evacuated before emergency personnel arrived. One adult male was transported to a local hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. Of three dogs inside the residence, one survived and two died. The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the displaced residents. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.