At 2:48 pm on Wednesday, 12/6/2023 the Salem & Gardner Lake Fire Departments were dispatched to 103 Horse Pond Road for a fire alarm. While companies were responding, Quinebaug Valley Emergency Communications took another call reporting a kitchen fire with a victim still inside, so the first alarm was filled out at 2:54.

Ladder 121 arrived at 2:59 with nothing showing from a 2 story wood frame apartment building. The crew made their way into the first floor where they found a smoke condition. After gaining access into the apartment, crews found a small fire in the kitchen. One male was assisted out of his home while firefighters stretched a 1.75” hose line. Tanker 121 arrived next and tied into the Ladder. The fire was quickly extinguished and crews checked for extension. Companies from Chesterfield, Oakdale, Montville, Bozrah, Colchester, Yantic and the Mohegan Tribal FAST staged in the front parking lot. Oakdale Ambulance 400 transported one patient to Lawrence & Memorial Hospital and the Salem Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.