by Bea Peterson
The Hoosick Fire Department received the call of a structure fire at Hoosac Meadows Way at 10:02 Tuesday night. “The first engine was at the scene in five or six minutes,” said Hoosick Fire Chief William Rifenburgh. Smoke from the kitchen fire was visible to Route 22, he added.
The family of Darlene Lockrow had turned in for the night when smoke detectors alerted them to the fire, which was the result of an unattended cooking fire; something unintentionally left going on the stove. “The kitchen suffered heavy smoke, fire and heat damage,” said Chief Rifenburgh.
Residents and neighbors with fire extinguishers held the flames at bay until Fire Departments from Hoosick and Hoosick Falls arrived on the scene. They quickly knocked down the remaining fire. “The automatic pre-plan we have in place for apartment complexes worked well last night,” said the Chief. Hoosick and Hoosick Falls Departments were automatically deployed and the North Hoosick Fire Department was on standby in quarters. “The Hoosick Falls ladder truck was on the scene and because there are no hydrants, trucks were sent up Route 22, across from McDonald’s, to be filled with water from hydrants located there.
Some of the apartments share common attic space, and fire fighters made sure fire had not gotten into the walls before allowing residents to return to their homes about 11 pm. “The family of four was very fortunate their smoke detectors worked,” said Chief Rifenburgh. Often individuals are overcome by smoke rather than the fire, he added. “It was a good reminder that everyone should make sure their smoke detectors are in good working order.”