Brattleboro Three-Alarm Fire at SIT Quickly Contained, Emergency Response

Brattleboro.gov
(802) 251-8151

On March 26, 2025, at approximately 11:11 a.m., Brattleboro emergency personnel received call of a fire alarm activation at the School of International Training (SIT), located at 1 Kipling Road in Brattleboro. Units arrived at 11:19 a.m., and first-arriving crews located a fire in Gamble Residence, a building on the north end of the campus.

After locating the fire, Captain Emery upgraded the incident to a first-alarm assignment, calling in additional crews.

The incident was upgraded to a second alarm after fires were located in other buildings. There were active fires in a total of five of the 26 buildings on campus. The call was upgraded to a three-alarm fire at approximately 11:45 a.m., and additional equipment and personnel were called to the scene.

All fires on campus were determined to be under control at 12:29 p.m.

Brattleboro Assistant Fire Chief Charles Keir III said the exact cause of the fire is currently under investigation but is not believed to be suspicious.

Personnel who responded to the fire, as well as those who provided coverage to the Town during the incident, included the Brattleboro Police Department, the Brattleboro Department of Public Works, and fire/EMS departments from throughout the region, including Putney, Hinsdale, Guildford, Chesterfield, Newbrook, Cheshire, Westminster, Spofford, Dummerston, Keene, NH, Greenfield, MA, and Bernardston, MA.

As a result of the fire, 126 people have been temporarily displaced, 17 of which are minors.

No injuries to students, staff, or emergency personnel were reported.

During an initial meeting at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Town’s Emergency Management Team, which includes members of the fire and police departments, Public Works, and the Recreation and Parks Department, coordinated with SIT administration and representatives from the American Red Cross, Vermont Emergency Management, the Vermont Department of Health, the Vermont Division of Fire Safety, the Medical Reserve Corps, Brattleboro Union High School, among other stakeholders, to determine if electricity and water could be returned to the buildings on campus.

The group discussed whether to establish a shelter in an alternate location due to conditions on campus, along with other arrangements, such as security needs.

By 5 p.m., Green Mountain Power and the Division of Fire Safety reported that three buildings were ready for occupancy, and a central building was selected as shelter for the evening. Those displaced on campus will be allowed to return to the unoccupied buildings to gather essentials.

The Red Cross plans to establish a shelter on campus at approximately 7 p.m. to support the immediate needs of those who have been displaced by the fire in addition to providing meals. They will be supporting those affected through disaster-related health services and mental health services.

Brattleboro Police and Fire will have staff available throughout the evening, including EMS providers and a member of the police liaison team.

Peter Lynch, the Public Works Assistant Director who served as the Emergency Management Director during the event, said the “Town of Brattleboro will continue to work with the school to determine when the remainder of the buildings can be safely occupied.”

“We will provide additional support as the school navigates through the early hours of this incident and in the days ahead,” said Lynch. “The Red Cross will keep us informed regarding what additional supports the public can provide.”

The Town’s Emergency Operation Center will remain active and hold daily meetings. The Town will release further information when available.

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230 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301
Date: March 26, 2025

230 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301
Three-Alarm Fire at SIT Quickly Contained, Emergency Response
Ongoing
Date: March 26, 2025
Brattleboro.gov
(802) 251-8151