05/18/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 18, 2026
Contact: Brandon Fire Department, Chief Tom Kilpeck
Email: [email protected]
Brandon Fire Department Responds to Structure Fire in Multi-Family Dwelling on Champlain Street
BRANDON, VT — May 18, 2026 — At approximately 11:55 a.m. on Sunday, May 17, the Brandon Fire Department was dispatched to Champlain Street for a reported structure fire in a multi-family dwelling, after a passerby noticed the fire and called 911.
Upon arrival, the command officer observed smoke showing from the eaves of the entire structure along with visible charring outside a second story window that had been burned out. Residents of the specific unit where the fire originated were not home at the time of the incident.
Firefighters immediately initiated an aggressive offensive fire attack and successfully cooled the fire apartment down quickly. Primary and secondary searches of the structure were conducted, and all other occupants were found safely outside. The fire was successfully brought under control within ten minutes.
While the building sustained extensive damage, the fire was contained to the single unit of origin, effectively saving the rest of the structure. The adjoining and lower apartments sustained some water damage. Due to the position of the incident, Champlain Street (VT Route 73) was entirely closed during the initial operations and was later reopened to one lane once mutual aid units began clearing the scene. Firefighters remained on scene for approximately three hours performing overhaul and checking for hidden hot spots.
The Brandon Fire Department was assisted on scene by the Pittsford Fire Department, Salisbury Fire Department, Brandon Area Rescue Squad, and the Pittsford Police Department. Green Mountain Power also responded to assist with disconnecting power to the building for the safety of operating firefighters. The department extends a sincere thank you to State Dispatch for their assistance in the initial dispatch and efficient coordination of mutual aid partners.
"Thanks to the rapid response of our members and the seamless coordination with our mutual aid partners, we were able to quickly bring this situation under control," said Tom Kilpeck, Chief of the Brandon Fire Department.
"While we are thankful there was no loss of human or animal life, our hearts go out to the residents who have been displaced by this fire," Chief Kilpeck added. The American Red Cross has been contacted and is actively assisting the displaced residents.
There were no injuries reported to civilians or emergency personnel. All animals were evacuated safely from the building. The cause and origin of the fire are currently under investigation by the Vermont Fire Investigation Unit. It does not appear to be suspicious at this time.
The Brandon Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the alert citizen who first noticed the fire and called it in. Our close-knit community is ever apparent when we can count on neighbors to jump into action and call for help. Without their quick thinking alerting 911, a delay in response would have surely resulted in further damage to the building.
ABOUT THE BRANDON FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Brandon Fire Department is an all-volunteer department providing fire suppression, rescue, and emergency hazardous mitigation services to the Town of Brandon, Vermont, and surrounding communities. Operating out of the Franklin Street station, the department is dedicated to protecting the lives, property, and history of the Brandon community.
BREAKING: FIREFIGHTERS SAVE BUILDING IN BRANDON
Today multiple fire units responded in mutual aid to a structure near Downtown Brandon, Vermont. Around 30 firemen contained a fire in the upper-level of an apartment building, successfully preventing the fire from spreading or engulfing the building.
At 3:05pm cleared the scene.
