News release
RUTLAND — At 03:01 a.m. on Sunday December 11th, 2022, the Rutland Volunteer Fire Company and the Felts Mills Volunteer Fire Company were dispatched to a structure fire at 26711 State Route 126 in the Town of Rutland with a report of flames showing from the roof.
The Rutland Fire Chief immediately requested a second alarm be dispatched. Upon arriving on scene, the Rutland Chief confirmed a working structure fire in the attic space above a second‐floor room, that all occupants were out of the structure, and requested an engine from the City of Watertown Fire Department. Crews from Rutland, Town of Watertown, and the City of Watertown made a rapid aggressive initial attack on the fire and knocked down the main body of the fire within a few minutes. Crews spent approximately the next two hours conducting overhaul, searching for hotspots and hidden fire, and salvage operations to remove the occupant’s possessions and valuables.
At approximately 05:00 the second floor in the fire room partially collapsed onto the first floor while crews were working on the second floor. A Mayday Call was issued by the crew and additional crews were directed to assist the involved crew. At 05:05 all the firefighters involved were accounted for and the Mayday was declared over. At 05:13 all firefighters were out of the building, the involved crew was being checked by on scene EMS, and command ceased all interior operations and requested a Gradall from the Town of Rutland Highway Department to assist in extinguishing any remaining hotspots.
Two firefighters were transported to Samaritan Medical Center for injuries sustained during the collapse, treated, and released. Two other firefighters were evaluated on scene but did not require treatment.
Mutual Aid was received from Felts Mills, West Carthage, Black River, Town of Watertown, City of Watertown, Fort Drum, and Rodman Fire Departments, Carthage and Guilfoyle Ambulances, Jefferson County Fire Investigators, National Grid, and the Town of Rutland Highway Department.
All unit were back in full service by 09:08.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
William E. Kalin III
Chief
Rutland Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.