Never a dull moment
Busy Tuesday for St. Michael's fire and rescue
(Multimedia)

Mark Gould | managing editor
mgould@smcvt.edu

Click image for audio slideshow from the fire. Left, photo courtesy of Pete Soons. Right, Mark Gould, photo

Tuesday morning around 8:00, the St. Michael's College fire department left the station to respond to an accident on Vermont 7 in Colchester. Eight fire fighters boarded Engine 9 and headed toward the scene.

On the way, the truck collided with a school bus carrying 17 children who were headed to Malletts Bay School. There were no injuries according to the security report.

The fire truck involved was bought in 2000, and is the first new truck the department has purchased, says Pete Soons, director of St. Michael’s safety and security. The truck will need a new windshield as well as some body work.

Eleven hours later, the department recieved another call. A house across from the St. Michael's Women's Center was ablaze. The house, located at 26 College Parkway flamed and smoked for hours as local fire departments teamed up to smother the blaze.

One resident was in the building when the fire began, but escaped safely with some belongings. The fire began in the kitchen. The cause is still being investigated.