Thompson Brush Fire Claims Storage Barn

Thompson, Conn. - Area fire departments responded to a brush fire that extended to a storage barn on Monday afternoon.

At approximately 1:52 pm on Monday, April 10th, 2023, the Quinebaug Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to 508 Fabyan Rd for a reported brush fire.

A fire chief from a neighboring department was in the area and responded after hearing the call dispatched. Upon his arrival, he reported a 100' by 100' brush fire encroaching on a 30' by 30' storage barn.

Quinebaug Volunteer Fire Department's Chief Steve Bodreau arrived shortly after and had crews stretch an initial hose line from the neighbors' driveway to the rear of the barn in an attempt to keep the fire from fully consuming it. The initial attack was not able to hold the fire at bay and Chief Bodreau made the call to bring in additional mutual aid companies for a structure fire. At this point, the brush fire became a secondary hazard.

With the barn engulfing fast, a second structure located a short distance away began to also catch fire. Crews were able to prevent the fire from taking hold of the second structure with minimal damage.

With the area not being hydranted, crews were required to rely on tanker shuttles in order to get water to the scene. The Muddy Brook Fire Department was able to establish a water supply, at the Fabyan Rd Bridge, in a timely manner ensuring crews did not run out of water on the scene. A secondary water supply was also established at an alternate location.

"The quick response from volunteer and paid departments was amazing, allowing us to save [the secondary structure]" said Chief Bodreau.

Chief Bodreau went on to say, "The [Quinebaug Volunteer Fire Department] has great working relationships with the Massachusetts Departments (Dudley and Webster), and all of the Thompson, Woodstock Departments. The Quinebaug Volunteer Fire Department trains with all of these departments regularly for scenarios just like this one.

The fire was held to a 1st alarm, with a special request for tankers to utilize in the tanker shuttle.

While no personnel were transported from the scene, 1 Firefighter was transported at the Basic Life Support level upon returning to their station.

The fire is currently under investigation by the Thompson Fire Marshal.

Agencies who responded, or were dispatched, included the Quinebaug Vol FD , Community Fire Company , West Thompson Fire Department Webster Fire / Rescue Massachusetts , Dudley Fire Department , Woodstock Vol Fire Assoc. Sta 76 , Bungay Fire Brigade , Muddy Brook Fire Department , East Putnam Fire Department.