A two-alarm fire response was triggered in downtown Burlington on the evening of July 1 after smoke filled the vacant John Zampieri state office building at 108 Cherry Street. 

Thanks to a quick alarm activation and fast action by first responders, the situation was brought under control without injuries or structural damage.

Burlington firefighters say that at 6:41 p.m., Burlington Fire Department crews were dispatched to the three-story structure, which includes underground parking. Engine 3 arrived first and reported no visible smoke or fire from the outside. However, upon entering, firefighters encountered moderate smoke in the building’s lobby.

Additional crews entered the structure to locate the source of the smoke, stretch hose lines to the lobby and second floor, and search the building for any potential occupants. No one was found inside.

Investigators determined the smoke originated from an overheating transformer in an electrical closet on the lobby level and nearby electrical components on the second floor. No active fire was discovered, and the smoke was vented from the building.

Building representatives arrived on the scene and helped fire crews shut off power to the affected systems.

The incident escalated to a two-alarm response, drawing mutual aid from South Burlington, Winooski, and Colchester fire departments, along with UVM Rescue. Burlington Electric, Water Resources, and Vermont Gas also responded, and Burlington Police managed a street closure on Cherry Street between South Winooski and Saint Paul streets for 90 minutes.

Officials credited the building’s fire alarm system and the prompt arrival of first-due units for detecting the issue in its early stages and preventing a more serious event.

In a statement, the Burlington Fire Department urged residents to install and maintain smoke detectors in their homes. “They save lives,” the department said.