BFD Press Release Nov. 26
Structure Fire, 46-48 Lexington Ave.
On November 25, Central Station and Station 2 were dispatched at 21:58 hours to 46-48 Lexington Ave. for a reported structure fire.
Engine 2 arrived on-scene at 22:02 hours, and Captain Schmidt reported heavy fire from a 2 ½ story wood frame structure. Captain Schmidt requested a second alarm at 22:03. Crews encountered downed power lines and an exposure problem at 54 Lexington Ave. Crews were able to protect the exposure and get a hose line operating on the fire building.
Due to heavy fire conditions and fire advancement crews could not attempt an interior attack on the fire building.
One occupant was unable to escape the building. The occupant was later found on the second floor deceased. The fire under investigation. The Brattleboro Fire, Brattleboro Police, and Vermont State Police will be investigating. The fire was under control at 00:29.
Mutual Aid on the scene was Greenfield, Keene, Hinsdale, and Guildford Fire — additionally Brattleboro PD, Brattleboro DPW, and Green Mountain Power.
Mutual Aid staffing Central Station was Cheshire EMS, Putney, Chesterfield, and Westminster Fire Departments.
Mutual Aid at Station Two was Dummerston Fire.
Vermont State Police Fire Investigators along with the State of Vermont Fire Marshall’s investigated the interior of the building for cause and manner of the fire. They determined the fire was accidental and was due to an electrical issue.
The decedent has been identified as a resident of 48 Lexington Ave, Deirdre Baker (61) of Brattleboro. She was sent to the Medical Examiner's office for an autopsy.