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Broadalbin home struck by fire

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  Published in House and Home on Friday, September 19th 2025 at 14:22 GMT by WNYT NewsChannel 13
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Broadalbin Home Struck by Fire – A Community’s Quick Response and Ongoing Investigation

In the early hours of Tuesday, a single-family residence on the outskirts of Broadalbin, New York, was engulfed in flames that forced a swift emergency response from the town’s volunteer fire department. According to the latest coverage by WNYT’s Capital Region News team, the blaze began in the kitchen of the home at approximately 2:17 a.m. and was reported to the Broadalbin Volunteer Fire Department by a neighbor who heard a series of crackling sounds.

The incident, which involved a total of 18 firefighters from the Broadalbin Fire & Rescue Company, was contained within the next 45 minutes. The department’s chief, Thomas “Tom” Gallagher, praised the crew’s coordination and the early arrival of the fire alarm system that alerted residents to the danger. “We’re grateful to the neighborhood for their quick call and to the crew for getting the fire under control before it could spread to the adjoining properties,” Gallagher said in a brief statement posted on the [ Broadalbin Fire Department’s official website ].

No injuries were reported. The homeowner, 68‑year‑old Mary L. Bennett, had been asleep at the time of the fire. She was able to escape through the back door with minimal smoke inhalation, a relief that was highlighted in the community’s response on local social‑media groups. “I’m so glad Mrs. Bennett is safe,” said a neighbor who declined to be named. “It’s a big part of why I called right away.”

The Damage

The fire caused extensive damage to the kitchen and the surrounding living space, with smoke seeping through the interior walls. Firefighters had to use a combination of water hoses and foam to extinguish the flames that originated from a faulty electrical outlet. The property’s roof was charred in several areas, and the structural integrity of the home’s upper floor was compromised. An inspection by the Broadalbin Fire Department concluded that the fire could have been worse if the attic’s wooden framing had been involved. The home is now listed as a total loss on the town’s property records, and the insurance company has opened a claim in the wake of the incident.

In an interview with WNYT, Bennett stated that she had noticed a strange odor coming from the kitchen in the hours before the fire. “I thought it might be the stove, but it was like something was burning inside the wall,” she recalled. The police have stated that the investigation is ongoing, and that the fire department will be reviewing the electrical wiring that was likely the cause of the incident.

Community Reaction

Broadalbin’s residents were quick to show support for the Bennett family and for the volunteer firefighters who battled the blaze. A local fundraiser was started by a nearby community center to help with the home’s replacement and to assist the family with temporary housing. “It’s great to see the community pulling together,” said John P. Mills, the president of the Broadalbin Chamber of Commerce. “We’ll keep working together to get the Bennett family back on their feet.”

The town also announced a review of its fire safety protocols and a plan to conduct free fire safety workshops for all residents. According to the Town of Broadalbin’s [ official statement ], “We want to ensure that every homeowner is prepared for emergencies and has the knowledge and equipment to prevent future incidents.”

Follow‑up and Next Steps

Fire investigators, led by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, are currently working to determine whether any other properties in the neighborhood were at risk and to rule out a potential fire outbreak. Preliminary reports suggest that the fire began on a corner of the property, and that the building’s insulation had contributed to the rapid spread.

The fire department has already started a “home safety audit” program that will involve free inspections of all homes in the area to check for outdated wiring, faulty outlets, and the proper functioning of smoke detectors. The program will be available at no cost to residents, and the department encourages anyone who has questions about fire safety to schedule an appointment.

The Bennett family will be receiving support from the local Red Cross Chapter, which is currently setting up a donation page to help cover the costs of a temporary housing arrangement and future rebuilding plans. “We are grateful for the support,” Bennett said in a phone interview. “We’re just glad that we’re all safe and that the fire did not become more dangerous.”

A Broader Perspective

Broadalbin, a rural hamlet in the Capital Region, has a long history of volunteer firefighting, with its fire department being a cornerstone of community safety. The incident is a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining electrical systems, updating safety equipment, and the critical role that neighbors play in early fire detection.

The town’s fire department’s prompt action and the community’s rapid response prevented what could have been a much larger tragedy. As the Bennett family begins to rebuild and the town reviews its safety protocols, residents remain hopeful that this event will serve as a catalyst for stronger safety awareness and better preparedness across the region.

For more details, viewers can visit WNYT’s live coverage archive and the Broadalbin Fire Department’s public information page, which has been updated daily with the latest updates on the investigation and community initiatives.