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Denmark firefighters describe chimney fire, warn air packs will fall out of compliance
Summary
Fire officials reported a recent chimney fire likely caused by a cracked chimney and confirmed mutual-aid assistance; they also said the department's air packs will be out of compliance at the end of March and discussed interim borrowing and grant reimbursement plans.
Denmark fire personnel briefed the Select Board on a recent chimney fire, mutual-aid response and impending equipment needs.
Fire representatives said crews contained a chimney fire that had penetrated the flue lining; mutual-aid departments assisted and the department established a water supply. The fire marshal's preliminary report suggested an electrical cause and noted an aged, cracked chimney. One mutual-aid firefighter from an outside town was injured in a fall, the department reported.
The department warned that its self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) air packs will fall out of compliance at the end of March. Staff have arranged to borrow air packs from neighboring towns as an interim measure while replacement procurement proceeds. "Come the end of March our air packs at the fire department will be out of date and out of compliance," a fire representative said.
Board members discussed funding to replace eight packs. Staff said they expect to recover approximately 40–50% of the replacement cost through a grant reimbursement and are pursuing other funding options to cover the remainder.
The board thanked firefighters and mutual-aid partners for the response and directed staff to continue pursuing grant reimbursement and equipment-replacement plans.
