Large condo fire in Killington

[Mister Moose]

At about 12:30 am we first noticed it, and at about 12:40 am the glow filled a large part of the horizon. I went to get a closer look and saw this:

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It took quite a while for the firemen to get the water going. The ladder truck was in position for some time before the water started to flow. By then the 2nd unit was fully engaged with the 3rd one starting. There was some link in the chain from the tanker to the nozzle that was clearly having problems. Rutland's ladder truck was there too, but that had no water either.

I heard there was plenty of notice and that everyone got out ok... hope that's correct. These are the condos next to Peppino's.

[Humpty Dumpty]

Were they able to save it? They should call Serv Pro for the fire and water damage.

[ski]

what condos?

[PinnacleJim]

The Woods.

Lower Killington Road closed per the Killington website.

[tt431]

what condos?

He said the condos next to Peppino's. The Woods?

[Atomic1]

Access rd. Is closed . Not the Woods , across the street.

[daytripper]

Killington townhouses. just walked by and it is burnt to the ground.

[Mister Moose]

It isn't The Woods. Across the street, behind and uphill of Peppino's.

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This photo is from 1:09 am. Water has just started hitting the fire, but the nozzle spray pattern has trouble hitting the building at first. Then when this photo was taken, the full power of the equipment was brought to bear. Within seconds the water stops.

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1:27am. Other than a brief few seconds shown above, there is still no water on the fire. The westerly unit is now fully engaged and its roof has burnt through and collapsed. The easterly neighbor is on fire. You can see a low pressure flow from the nozzle that isn't helping.

A second water burst was focused on the most easterly unit that still presumably hadn't any fire damage yet, as well as the neighbor unit that was half engulfed. Then the water goes off again within 30ish seconds.

I observed many issues the firemen were having. I'm sure it was tough being out there at 1am in 10F trying to get water on a fire. However, the equipment is useless if there is insufficient training, manpower, or water.

I think the Town, the Resort, and the SP Land folks need to seriously think about how they are going to provide adequate fire protection for a dense cluster of multi story buildings in a future Village.

Are there currently any hydrants, cisterns or ponds with dry hydrants for Mountain Green, High Ridge, and Pinnacle? I'd like to hear a current assessment of tanker trucks, pumpers, regional assets, training, manpower within the department, leadership within the department, and tanker refill locations from the town.

Kudos to the folks who do volunteer. But we need to do better.

[Humpty Dumpty]

It isn't The Woods. Across the street, behind and uphill of Peppino's.

rsz_20150307_010850[1].jpg

This photo is from 1:09 am. Water has just started hitting the fire, but the nozzle spray pattern has trouble hitting the building at first. Then when this photo was taken, the full power of the equipment was brought to bear. Within seconds the water stops.

rsz_20150307_012621[1].jpg

1:27am. Other than a brief few seconds shown above, there is still no water on the fire. The westerly unit is now fully engaged and its roof has burnt through and collapsed. The easterly neighbor is on fire. You can see a low pressure flow from the nozzle that isn't helping.

A second water burst was focused on the most easterly unit that still presumably hadn't any fire damage yet, as well as the neighbor unit that was half engulfed. Then the water goes off again within seconds.

I observed many issues the firemen were having. I'm sure it was tough being out there at 1am in 10F trying to get water on a fire. However, the equipment is useless if there is insufficient training, manpower, or water.

I think the Town, the Resort, and the SP Land folks need to seriously think about how they are going to provide adequate fire protection for a dense cluster of multi story buildings in a future Village.

Are there currently any hydrants, cisterns or ponds with dry hydrants for Mountain Green, High Ridge, and Pinnacle? I'd like to hear a current assessment of tanker trucks, pumpers, regional assets, training, manpower within the department, leadership within the department, and tanker refill locations from the town.

Kudos to the folks who do volunteer. But we need to do better.

You are clearly an ignorant jackass. Get off your ass and volunteer is you want to criticize. All volunteers are required to take the minimum state mandated training. They know what they are doing. It's clearly the lack of water. If there is no hydrant service, then they are reliant on the water the engines carry on board, which is not a lot (500-750 gallons) and then the supplement water from the tankers. They can blow through that supply pretty quickly until the tankers can re-supply enmass. Mutual aid is called immediately. Don't make idiot statements.

[madhatter]

It isn't The Woods. Across the street, behind and uphill of Peppino's.

rsz_20150307_010850[1].jpg

This photo is from 1:09 am. Water has just started hitting the fire, but the nozzle spray pattern has trouble hitting the building at first. Then when this photo was taken, the full power of the equipment was brought to bear. Within seconds the water stops.

rsz_20150307_012621[1].jpg

1:27am. Other than a brief few seconds shown above, there is still no water on the fire. The westerly unit is now fully engaged and its roof has burnt through and collapsed. The easterly neighbor is on fire. You can see a low pressure flow from the nozzle that isn't helping.

A second water burst was focused on the most easterly unit that still presumably hadn't any fire damage yet, as well as the neighbor unit that was half engulfed. Then the water goes off again within seconds.

I observed many issues the firemen were having. I'm sure it was tough being out there at 1am in 10F trying to get water on a fire. However, the equipment is useless if there is insufficient training, manpower, or water.

I think the Town, the Resort, and the SP Land folks need to seriously think about how they are going to provide adequate fire protection for a dense cluster of multi story buildings in a future Village.sprinkler system? to stop em before they become fully engulfed?

Are there currently any hydrants, cisterns or ponds with dry hydrants for Mountain Green, High Ridge, and Pinnacle? I'd like to hear a current assessment of tanker trucks, pumpers, regional assets, training, manpower within the department, leadership within the department, and tanker refill locations from the town.

Kudos to the folks who do volunteer. But we need to do better.

[ndscaper]

For current assessment of Killington's firehouse http://www.killingtontown.com/index.asp ... BASIC&SEC=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;{B77F80B6-6E54-41E2-AD84-4A00BDE1F914}. There is also a study done in 2008 assessing the Killington fire department called the "Matrix" report for the consulting group which prepared it. It is possibly available from the Town Manager upon request.
The water availability issues are a concern and will be until a water supply system is built. There was a "Water Study" done recently in response to SP Land's query into the town's possibly partnering in a water system that would feed the proposed ski village as well as Killington Road and environs. Nothing came of it due to lack of support by the surrounding community.
Given all the concern about economic development in town you would think it would have been more popular. But that would be actual economic development vs. what I would characterize as economic stimulus, i.e. haybales, concerts, and all sorts of dog and pony shows the town has been spending money on.
The water system study is available here http://www.killingtontown.com/index.asp ... BASIC&SEC=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;{6EFF6054-9E3C-4C1C-9F07-399B667C5623}.

[Big Bob]

Mnt Times article:
http://mountaintimes.info/firefighters- ... ownhouses/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Inns brook Townhouses. Sounds like it started as a chimney fire.

Water is always a problem for rural towns without pressurized central systems. Even large tankers can only carry so much. I have a dry hydrant across the street which goes to a small pond. It was a requirement of the town when the subdivision was built. I keep it clear of snow. There didn't appear to be much of a fire barrier between the units.

[Mister Moose]

You are clearly an ignorant jackass. Get off your ass and volunteer is you want to criticize. All volunteers are required to take the minimum state mandated training. They know what they are doing. It's clearly the lack of water. If there is no hydrant service, then they are reliant on the water the engines carry on board, which is not a lot (500-750 gallons) and then the supplement water from the tankers. They can blow through that supply pretty quickly until the tankers can re-supply enmass. Mutual aid is called immediately. Don't make idiot statements.

Look, Humpty, those are not idiot statements. I left out a lot of details you are not aware of, and I did not make public. I'll be happy to talk to you about what happened, but no, you want to hide behind your keyboard. You want credibility? Show up. Until then you are just the kid in the back heckling.

How much water got on the fire in 45 minutes? Do you know? Where you there? I was. How many tankers were there? What were the issues? I understand it is a volunteer department, but that doesn't make it immune from a need to improve.

Looking at the equipment list on the Fire Department web page, the water carried on the 2 pumpers are 1200 and 1800 gallons. There is no tanker listed. Given the size and neighborhood of last night's fire, and the size of other buildings in town, should Killington have its own tanker?

[brownman]

Sad outcome for those poor folk. Hoping they can recover.

Occupy Woodward Reservoir to the benefit of the homeowners
Fill some 40' tankers and keep them liquid ... heated or in a barn somewhere.

Chimney Fires out Stockbridge way have been a problem this season.
The firewood supply wasn't as dry as usual.
...and/or Colton is cutting back on his kiln temperature.

[freeski]

It would be hard to believe Killington does not have a tanker with so many large condo complexes, lodges, etc. Even without the ski area not having pressurized hydrants they must need one for every fire they can not immediately put out. A call should have gone out for as many tankers as they could get as soon as they saw flames. I have no idea how many are available in the area, but they travel slow. You set up a pool similar to an above ground swimming pool and pump out of that and ideally have enough tankers so it doesn't run dry. This should all be planned ahead and practiced. Mr. Moose is right they have room to improve. You shouldn't have structures burning to the ground at Killington.