A six-alarm fire ripped through the historic Brooks House in downtown Brattleboro, Vt. Sunday evening.
Firefighters from across Southern Vermont and Western Massachusetts were called to High Street in Brattleboro Sunday night to battle what is being described as a six-alarm fire at the historic Brooks House building. UPDATE- 3 AM: The fire has been downgraded to a five-alarm scenario and crews remain at the scene working on what's left of the building, according to a report by commonsnews.org. The news website reported that the building housed at least 80 tenants who authorities were making efforts to locate to make sure everyone got out safely. The Green Mountain Chapter of the American Red Cross has established a temporary shelter and is attending to the immediate needs of the displaced residents as well as the first responders. To monitor communications from emergency personal at the scene, click here.
Brattleboro, Vt. - Several Massachusetts fire departments were called upon Sunday night to help battle a blaze at the historic Brooks House building on High Street in downtown Brattleboro, Vt.
The six-alarm fire at the former hotel was first reported around 9 p.m. and crews remained on the scene into the morning trying to stay ahead of the fast-moving flames.
Video of the blaze by the crew at The Brattleboro Reformer
No one from the Brattleboro Fire Department was immediately available to comment, but a report from Fireground 360's Facebook page indicated that crews were beginning to get things under control around 2 a.m.
The Brooks House is considered a landmark building in Brattleboro as well as Southern Vermont. Originally built in 1871, the building most recently housed 59 apartments, 15 storefronts and one radio station, according to a real estate website marketing living spaces in the complex.
This undated postcard shows the building when it was considered one of the largest hotels in New England.According to an article about the building written by the Brattleboro Community Brain Trust, the building is 175 long on Main Street, 120 feet long on High Street and has a depth of 70 feet. The building forms nearly a right angle and the total length is almost 300 feet.
It is unknown if anyone was injured in the fire or how extensive the damage to the building is.
More information will be published as it becomes available.