The Fire Department is investigating an explosion and fire at a homeless encampment on 260 North Main Street. On Monday morning, visible black smoke could be seen from miles away, including from the interstate.Around 8:30 a.m., firefighters received calls reporting a significant fire near 260 North Main Street. Witnesses in the area described seeing heavy smoke and flames. “I left the station on Weldon Street and could see the smoke from Main Street,” said Fire Chief Matt Mulheron.Tawnya Poquette, who works nearby at Brock’s Heating and Air Conditioning, reported the explosion to 911. “When we looked out the window, there was a huge plume of black smoke and some flames,” Poquette said, adding that the explosion was “powerful.”Firefighters quickly responded, arriving with their first truck near Lower Newton Road and deploying forestry hoses to contain the flames. It took fire crews about an hour to put out the fire, and no injuries were reported.Initial investigations indicate the fire may have started from a campfire located about 15 feet from a tent in the encampment, which was littered with propane tanks. “There were a lot of mini propane tanks and several aerosol cans. Those are the explosions that I heard when I arrived on the scene,” Mulheron said.NBC5 also reached out to the St. Albans Police Department, but they aren’t investigating the situation at this point. The St. Albans Fire Department is asking anyone with information on the incident to reach out.
The Fire Department is investigating an explosion and fire at a homeless encampment on 260 North Main Street.
On Monday morning, visible black smoke could be seen from miles away, including from the interstate.
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Around 8:30 a.m., firefighters received calls reporting a significant fire near 260 North Main Street. Witnesses in the area described seeing heavy smoke and flames.
“I left the station on Weldon Street and could see the smoke from Main Street,” said Fire Chief Matt Mulheron.
Tawnya Poquette, who works nearby at Brock’s Heating and Air Conditioning, reported the explosion to 911. “When we looked out the window, there was a huge plume of black smoke and some flames,” Poquette said, adding that the explosion was “powerful.”
Firefighters quickly responded, arriving with their first truck near Lower Newton Road and deploying forestry hoses to contain the flames. It took fire crews about an hour to put out the fire, and no injuries were reported.
Initial investigations indicate the fire may have started from a campfire located about 15 feet from a tent in the encampment, which was littered with propane tanks.
“There were a lot of mini propane tanks and several aerosol cans. Those are the explosions that I heard when I arrived on the scene,” Mulheron said.
NBC5 also reached out to the St. Albans Police Department, but they aren’t investigating the situation at this point.
The St. Albans Fire Department is asking anyone with information on the incident to reach out.
