Fire destroys Pownal, Vt. home

Keith Whitcomb Jr.
Posted: 02/18/2010 02:41:47 AM EST
(Courtesy of the Bennington Banner)



POWNAL -- The remains of a home destroyed by fire Tuesday evening were still smoldering late Wednesday morning.

The home belonged to Lorenzo and Jean Burzimatie of Grapevine Lane, said Frank Burzimatie, Lorenzo Burzimatie's brother, who acted as a spokesman for the family. He said that the couple's five children were present at the house. Two of the children are adults and do not live there, while the others are ages 7, 9 and 17.

All escaped unharmed, but the family believes a cat may have been lost, said Burzimatie.

Antionette Todd, a dispatcher for the Pownal Valley Fire Protection Association, said that firefighter Walt Clark injured his hip in a fall and was hospitalized while another firefighter was also injured but released.

Burzimatie said the family believes the fire was caused by a gas-powered, self-cleaning cooking stove. He said that Lorenzo Burzimatie reported activating the device and shortly afterward seeing flames from the kitchen at around 4:45 p.m.

Burzimatie said a 911 call was made by his brother, but he had to hang up because smoke and fire had forced them out of the home. He said a second call to 911 was made from a neighbor's house.

"There was a tremendous amount of fire and emergency personnel at the scene," Frank Burzimatie said. "The emergency response was extremely quick."

Todd said nine fire departments were mobilized to deal with the blaze. She



said that Pownal Fire Department, Pownal Valley Fire Department, Bennington Rural Fire Department, Bennington Fire Department, North Hoosick (N.Y.) Fire Department, Raymertown (N.Y.) Fire Department, Williamstown (Mass.) Fire Department, Clarksburg (Mass.) Fire Department, and the Arlington Fire Department responded to the scene and to cover for other departments.
She said more than 15 water tankers responded, but firefighters were hindered by snowy weather and freezing water lines. Todd said that Kathy Gaffney and Frank Giorandino, Pownal residents, brought coffee and refreshments to the firehouse on Route 346.

Burzimatie said the family has met with the Red Cross and they are staying with a daughter in Hoosick, N.Y.

He said support from the community has been great and they are considering setting up a donation account with a local bank. He said the house was a total loss, but they have met with their insurance adjuster.

Bruce Pollock, emergency services coordinator with the American Red Cross, said that anyone wanting to make a donation to the family should contact the Red Cross at (802) 442-9458. He said that the Red Cross cannot hold donated items, but referrals can be made to the appropriate places that can.

Frank Burzimatie said Lorenzo Burzimatie is a carpenter at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, while Jean Burzimatie is a para-professional at the Pownal Elementary School.

Pownal Elementary School Principal Joy Kitchell said that Jean Burzimatie's colleagues were notified of the fire through a telephone tree.

"We are going to do everything we can for the family," she said, adding that the Burzimaties are giving people and the school community will take the opportunity to give back.