A controlled fire conducted by Branford firefighters last Wednesday quickly turned into a rehearsal for the real thing.

By Sally E. Bahner
Editor

Approximately 34 volunteers, including Class A firefighters, Explorers and support personnel, were at the training exercise, which involved burning down an old two-story house on Route 139. Although the large Colonial dated back to the 1800s, its location and deteriorated condition made restoration impossible. A permit for its demolition had been secured, a process that involved a review of its historic significance and potential for restoration.

According to Deputy Chief Tom Mahoney, the Branford department frequently seeks out properties to use for training since there is no designated facility in town. A deal is made, he says, in which a building is burned to the ground when conditions are right with asbestos and other possible environmental hazards removed.

The dramatic scene, captured by photographer Mary Johnson who documenting the event for the fire department, found the house fully engulfed, providing an optimum chance for firefighters to hone their skills.

As the exercise was wrapping up and a payloader was breaking down fire on Route 139, the department received a call regarding a fire at the storage units on Cedar Street. While not as visually dramatic as the Route 139 blaze, the thick smoke hampered firefighters.

The drama here involved rescue of three dogs on the premises that lived in an attached manager's residence. According to Mahoney, one dog had been removed by its owner and two others were taken out by firefighters.

Two years ago the Branford Fire Department received several specially designed pet oxygen masks from Best Friends Pet Care, based in Norwalk, and it was on this occasion that they were finally put to use. No further treatment was needed for the dogs and they were released to their owner.

The oxygen masks, which come in three sizes, are supplied to local fire departments through Best Friends' "Cause for Paws" program. As in Branford's case, matched funds are raised locally to pay for the masks. According to Deb Bennetts of Best Friends, the Cause for Paws program has supplied more than 350 sets to about 100 fire departments nationwide. Rocky Hill, Old Saybrook, Hamden, Prospect and Meriden all have them. An unattended candle was determined to be the cause of the Cedar Street fire. The fire damaged the residence and adjoining office, and seven attached storage units sustained smoke damage, said Mahoney.

©Branford Review 2007