Killingly, CT — A brush fire burned at least two acres late Tuesday morning in Killingly, prompting a large-scale response that temporarily shut down train traffic near Upper Maple Street.
The fire, initially reported as a smoke investigation, was upgraded after emergency crews confirmed a growing brush fire in the area of South Shore Road and Upper Maple Street.
Firefighters from Dayville, Attawaugan, South Killingly, Pomfret, Mortlake, East Killingly, Williamsville, and East Putnam responded, along with officials from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Killingly Fire Marshal’s Office.
Crews staged operations between 1662 Upper Maple Street and the Owl’s Nest Day School at 1620 Upper Maple Street.
Only one lane of travel remained open during the response. Authorities also issued a warning to the public, requesting that no civilian drones be operated in the area due to emergency drone activity overhead.
Dayville Fire Company Chief Michael Shabenas confirmed to WINY Radio that the fire was brought under control around 1:00 p.m.
“Trying to get to it,” Chief Shabenas said, “was the biggest challenge. It was on the peninsula surrounded by train tracks.”
The fire’s location complicated access and containment. At 11:33 a.m., train tracks between Frito Lay and the Dayville Fire House were shut down. According to Shabenas, the tracks remained closed into the afternoon as crews completed mop-up operations, though they hoped rail traffic could resume later in the day.
Additional UTV units were requested from Pomfret and Mortlake shortly after 11:30 a.m., and East Killingly crews were called in at 11:42 a.m. DEEP confirmed their arrival on scene at 11:50 a.m.
No injuries were reported in connection with the fire. Officials have not yet released details on the fire’s cause.
