DEFREESTVILLE, NY – On October 5th at 9:30 AM, the Defreestville Fire Department, Wynantskill Fire Department, and North Greenbush Ambulance were dispatched to 169 Morner Road for a reported camper fire. Defreestville Car 3 arrived on scene, established command, and notified the dispatcher that a camper was on fire with smoke pushing from it. Due to a nearby barn, the chief requested a structural box alarm as a precaution, bringing the Clinton Heights Fire Department and their rapid intervention team to the scene. The chief conducted a full size-up of the situation and did not open the camper, preventing additional oxygen from feeding the fire.

Engine 9-7 arrived and deployed a 1¾-inch hand line to the side door of the camper. Firefighters opened the door and began knocking down the fire before it could spread. Shortly afterward, Engine 9-6 arrived on scene, along with mutual aid from Wynantskill and Clinton Heights Fire Departments. The driver from the first-due engine established a water supply with Engine 9-6. Firefighters continued suppression efforts for a short period.

The incident was brought under control in less than 15 minutes. The first-due chief’s decision not to open the camper initially helped prevent the fire from spreading beyond the interior of the camper. No injuries were reported. Firefighters remained on scene for an extended period conducting overhaul while fire investigators determined the cause of the fire. Firefighters returned to service approximately one hour after the start of the incident. This marks the second camper fire in the district within the last month.