Smoke from Cooking Fire Empties Randolph House

Smoke from Cooking Fire Empties Randolph House

Randolph House residents were evacuated from the 48-unit building at around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday for a cooking fire that filled the second-floor with smoke.

"It’s burnt food—they do it all the time," calmly commented Russell Downs, official "keyholder" for the building, as he stood with other residents in front of the brick apartment building on North Main Street.

Randolph Village Chief Jay Collette confirmed yesterday that the fire was limited to an "unattended" cooking pot. The resident, who reportedly had left his apartment for a short time, did manage, on his return, to put the pot in a sink of water, Collette said.

After making sure all residents were safely evacuated, firefighters focused their efforts checking for any further fire risk and installing fans to exhaust the smoke.

The resident of the apartment where the fire originated was taken to the hospital for observation by White River Valley Ambulance, the chief said.

Local police helped to direct the busy 5 p.m. traffic, as a section of Main Street was closed for a time.

Resident Archie Noyes, who lives on the second floor, was one of many residents gathered on Main Street, in the cool, damp evening air. He commented that the new audible-and-visual alarm system installed last year—with very loud alarms and flashing strobes in each apartment —ensured that even those with hearing problems are alerted.

Keyholder Russell Downs said residents, on hearing the alarm, promptly moved to stair landings, and then out. Those needing assistance were helped out by firefighters.

In the event of a fire alarm, elevators automatically shut off, to ensure that no one is trapped in an elevator, noted Fire Chief Collette.

Randolph Village, Randolph Center, and East Randolph were all toned out, with East Randolph taking a ready position in the Center "for coverage," Collette said.

____________