By Kolby LaMarche
A young Burlington family is facing a significant setback after a basement fire gutted their recently purchased home on Blondin Circle, destroying tools, baby essentials, and leaving them navigating dual mortgages while caring for children with health needs.
The fire broke out early Thursday morning, May 20 as covered by BDN, at the single-family home on Blondin Circle in the city’s New North End.
Neighbors noticed smoke and quickly called 911, prompting a fast response from the Burlington Fire Department. Crews arrived within minutes and contained the blaze, but the damage proved extensive.
The home, which Tamarra and her husband Cody had just bought and were actively renovating, is now considered a loss.
According to details shared by the family, Tamarra and Cody were in the midst of kitchen renovations and removing wallpaper when the fire started in the basement. The cause is believed to be electrical.
No one was living in the home at the time, which prevented any injuries. Firefighters’ quick action, aided by the alert neighbor, kept the incident from spreading further, though water damage, fire damage to the main floor, and pervasive smoke have rendered the house uninhabitable.
Cody, described by neighbors and relatives as a hardworking dad who relies on his tools for his livelihood, lost his equipment in the fire, temporarily halting his ability to work.
The couple’s two children, including a six-month-old baby, lost important items stored at the house for the renovation period, such as a crib, jumper, and a brand new pack and play.
The family is currently staying in a separate house they had planned to rent out to help cover the mortgage on their new purchase. With two mortgages and upcoming property taxes, the financial pressure has mounted quickly. While insurance is expected to provide assistance eventually, the process often takes time.
A particular challenge involves the couple’s son, who suffers from severe allergies and asthma. Smoke from the fire has penetrated the Sheetrock, making the home unsafe for him until it can be torn down to the studs and fully rebuilt.
The family has since started a GoFundMe. “Tamarra and Cody are the kind of people who would do anything for anyone,” organizers said.
Burlington Fire Department officials have not released a final determination on the cause, but the family’s account points to an electrical origin. The department’s rapid response helped limit the fire’s spread, consistent with their public emphasis on early detection and neighbor vigilance when dealing with house fires.
For Tamarra and Cody, the road ahead involves extensive restoration. Full demolition to the studs and rebuilding will be necessary in parts of the home due to smoke contamination. Costs for such projects in the current construction climate can add up rapidly, especially when factoring in temporary housing, lost wages, replacement of household goods, and similar expensive construction costs the city has dealt with.
Officials encourage residents to ensure working smoke detectors on every level, test alarms monthly, and be cautious during home improvement projects that involve electrical systems. In a city with many older single-family homes, the department says these steps can prevent small issues from becoming major disasters.
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