Bristol Drive House Heavily Damaged by Fire

Firefighters from Canton and surrounding towns responded to a house fire at 6 Bristol Drive at approximately 10:45 a.m. Tuesday.

Upon arrival, Town of Canton Volunteer Fire & EMS Department’s Engine 4 found flames and heavy smoke pushing out from the first floor, according to a department press release.

Canton volunteer firefighters Jonathan Gotaski and Stephen Goeben with Avon Fire Capt. Chris Kunzelmann entered through the front door and conducted a primary fire attack on the first floor, fire officials said. The fire was extinguished within 10 minutes, the release stated.

A second fire attack team found heavy smoke on the second floor, officials said.

The fire was contained to the first floor, with heavy smoke damage to the entire house, according to the release. All occupants, including the family dog, were evacuated. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters and trucks from Farmington, Simsbury, Burlington and Avon responded to the scene to lend a hand.

“Mutual aid is a critical lifeline . . . for a volunteer organization," said Sylvia Cancela, public relations officer for the town of Canton Volunteer Fire & EMS Department.

The Canton department responded with Engines 1, 3, & 4, Tanker 7, Utility 8 & Canton’s ambulance.   

Mutual aid partners Avon and Simsbury responded with engines. In addition, Task Force 54 was activated to provide additional personnel and equipment. In addition to Canton, responding Task Force members included: fire companies from Avon and Simsbury which responded with ladder trucks as well as Burlington and Farmington which responded with engines. Avon also provided Fire Police personnel.

That extra help was especially needed around 11:30 a.m., when the department received another call while the Bristol Drive fire was still active. That call was for a reported chimney fire on Trails End Drive. Fire companies from Burlington, Avon and Simsbury were redirected from the Bristol Drive scene to the Trails End Drive fire. Canton’s Ambulance, Car 11, was also called to the scene.

Upon arrival on Trails End, fire crews found heavy smoke coming from the chimney with smoke in the house. The incident was due to a furnace problem and the house was ventilated, fire officials said. 

All occupants were evacuated. No injuries were reported, according to a department release.

Mutual aid crews remained at the Bristol Drive scene until 12:15 p.m. Canton crews checked for extensions and other hazards. 

Route 44 between East Hill Road and Dowd was shut down for approximately two hours during the incident.