BRATTLEBORO — Six people were driven from their homes Dec. 10 after an apartment fire at 572-574 South Main St.
According to a report from Brattleboro Fire Chief Michael Bucossi, the fire was reported at about 6:50 a.m., and Engine 1, Engine 4, and Rescue 2 all responded to the initial call. Brattleboro Police arrived five minutes later, and saw smoke coming from the roof and eaves.
Brattleboro Fire Capt. Ron Hubbard, the officer in charge of Engine 1, sounded a second alarm at 6:56 a.m., while his crew was responding to the police report.
Fire crews kept the fire confined to the second floor and attic of one of the two units. The fire was brought under control at 7:37 a.m.
Bucossi reported there were six tenants, including two young children, in the two apartments. All escaped unharmed. One cat was rescued by firefighters and was uninjured. Bucossi credited the building's smoke detectors for alerting residents to the fire.
According to Bucossi, the 572 South Main unit received some smoke damage, but the 574 South Main unit saw extensive fire, smoke, and water damage.
The building, a 2 1/2-story wood frame duplex, is owned by DT Investments of Brattleboro. It now is uninhabitable, Bucossi reported.
An investigation into the cause of the fire found it was due to an overheated electrical circuit in a junction box in the attic of the duplex, according to Bucossi.
Brattleboro firefighters were assisted by Rescue Inc., Brattleboro Department of Public Works, Brattleboro Utilities Division, and Green Mountain Power. Putney and Keene, N.H., fire crews also assisted at the scene.
Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers helped the six residents find temporary shelter and assisted with other needs.