Haddam Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched to a possible structure fire at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 29 near the intersection of Saybrook Road and Candlewood Hill Road. Upon arrival, firefighters made an initial size-up of a light smoke condition on the first floor of a single-story residence. The homeowner, who was handicapped, was still inside the home. Firefighters helped the homeowner evacuate and EMS personnel from Haddam Volunteer Ambulance Service evaluated her on scene and allowed her to stay inside the ambulance during the incident. Inside, firefighters shut off the power to the home. They determined that the smoke and a particular smell, was coming from a rear bedroom in the home, which was located directly above the home’s furnace. Firefighters metered the home for carbon monoxide and used three thermal imaging cameras, but found no signs of elevated heat inside the room, attic, basement, an air return cavity and exterior of the home. HVFCo. members conferred with the homeowner and her son and requested that an electrician visit the home for an inspection. The electrician re-energized the home and crews noticed that a hot air pump, located in the furnace housing, was seized and grinding, even when the furnace was off. Fire marshals determined the faulty hot air pump was the cause of the smoke and odor. The homeowner was allowed to re-occupy her residence, however, she was advised to have her furnace professionally serviced. (Photo by Olivia Drake)

On Feb. 4, 2014 members of Haddam Volunteer Fire Company responded to a chimney fire with extension on Dickinson Road. The home was built in 1797. (Photo by Olivia Drake)

At 7:15 p.m. Jan. 10, 2015 a structure fire was reported at a two-story colonial on Killingworth Road (Rt. 81). Heavy fire and smoke was showing on arrival. Fire suppression required the efforts of seven area fire departments including Haddam, Killingworth, Chester, Durham, Clinton, East Haddam and Haddam Neck, also joined by Haddam Volunteer Ambulance Service. Middletown South District provided a Rapid Intervention Team and Essex provided station coverage for Haddam. The homeowner was inside at the time of the fire but escaped without injury. Traffic was diverted for approximately three hours while the scene remained active. (Photo by Olivia Drake)