by Timothy Page
A fire broke out at an encampment located under the Winooski River Railroad Bridge, commonly known as the “Blue Bridge,” this morning, June 10, fire officials say.
While en route to a training session, Burlington Fire Engine Company 5 noticed a large column of smoke coming from the area near the bridge. Burlington fire resources were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered an encampment ablaze under the bridge on the Winooski side. One adult male was found to have sustained burns to his legs and was transported by a Burlington Fire Department ambulance for medical treatment.
Crews from both the Burlington and Winooski Fire Departments worked together to evacuate the area and quickly extinguish the flames before they could spread further.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Winooski Fire and Police Departments, who are leading the probe into the incident.
Anyone with information regarding this fire is urged to contact the Winooski Police Department at (802) 655-0221. Any details, no matter how small, could prove valuable in determining the circumstances that led to the blaze and the injury sustained by the individual.
As the investigation continues, concerns have been raised about the safety and living conditions of those residing in encampments within the community. Local authorities and social service organizations are expected to review protocols and explore additional measures to address the issue of homelessness and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
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