Fire Displaces Nearly 50 Residents at Rodeway Inn in Rockingham

The cause of the fire remains unclear, with firefighters noting that the area where the blaze originated sustained considerable damage.

A two-alarm fire erupted Monday morning at the Rodeway Inn on Rockingham Street, leading to the temporary displacement of as many as 50 residents participating in the state's hotel voucher program for the homeless. The Rockingham Fire Department efficiently managed the situation, with assistance from agencies including the municipal fire departments from Westminster and Springfield.

The cause of the fire remains unclear, with firefighters noting that the area where the blaze originated sustained considerable damage, rendering any clues nearly impossible to discern. Fortunately, there were no severe injuries reported among residents and staff, although one inn employee, who resided in the affected section, sustained a first-degree burn on her face but declined further medical care.

Emergency services responded promptly, and according to Rockingham Fire Chief Shaun McGinnis, the electrical directly to the building was cut off. While the state allowed tenants to remain in their rooms for the night, they faced inconveniences, such as a lack of hot water and power.

A resident, Angela Milligan, shared her experience of the chaotic scene when the fire broke out. Her two-year-old son, though frightened, showed curiosity about the emergency response. Milligan mentioned the urgency with which guests and residents were forced to evacuate, noting the struggle to grab necessary belongings, including her small pet boa constrictor left behind in the room.

Jessica Collier, another tenant, had recently moved into the Rodeway and expressed deep frustration regarding safety protocols, highlighting a lack of efficient communication during the emergency, which exacerbated the panic. Meanwhile, another tenant, Mikayla Crossman, noted that two individuals in the fire's vicinity faced language barriers, complicating their response to the crisis.

Once the immediate threat was neutralized, firefighters continued to check for residual hotspots. Green Mountain Power technicians arrived to disconnect the electricity as part of the investigation into when residents might safely return to their quarters. The chief acknowledged the complexity of the building's electrical system would necessitate consultation with technicians before any decisions about re-entry could be made.

Officials from End Homeless Vermont also engaged with residents affected, emphasizing the importance of finding alternative accommodations as necessary. They recognized that some residents had specific medical requirements that prompted their need for housing assistance, primarily the availability of essential services like refrigerated insulin.

Traffic at the scene was managed by local law enforcement, with the Bellows Falls Village Police Chief noting that the motel had been a recurring point of concern for their department over the years due to various issues.

This incident had significant implications for the community, particularly affecting a vulnerable population, as tenants awaited further clarity on their housing situation amid the aftermath of the fire.