A watchful neighbor, a fast response, and a basement blaze — how Burlington firefighters kept the damage contained.

by VDC Staff

Just after 7 a.m. Thursday morning, a neighbor spotted gray smoke curling from a home at 15 Blondin Circle in Burlington’s new north end — and picked up the phone. That call would prove decisive.

Burlington Fire Department crews were dispatched at 7:19 a.m. for a reported smoke condition. Ladder 4 and Ambulance 4 arrived on scene in under four minutes to find a heavy smoke-filled two-story single-family home. Firefighters quickly stretched a hoseline to the front door and pushed inside.

“Early notification from the neighbor was key to keeping this fire small to limit property damage.”

The culprit was in the basement — a fire that had already burned through the first floor by the time crews made entry. Firefighters began extinguishment while additional crews swept the home for occupants and checked for fire spread. The home was unoccupied; the owners were not living there at the time. The blaze was held to the room of origin and fully extinguished.

In all, 8 fire apparatus and 17 firefighters responded. Burlington Electric Department and Vermont Gas also answered the call, helping secure utilities at the scene.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined and is currently under investigation by the Burlington Fire Department’s Fire Marshal’s Office. No injuries were reported.

Battalion Chief Christopher Laramie credited the outcome to the quick action of a nearby resident — and used the moment to underscore a familiar but vital message: working smoke detectors save lives, and so does paying attention to your neighbors.