Montville Ct, Hidden Acre Rd.
More photos will be posted later
I welcome you to my blog site; I hope to show you the fire service in NLC in some interesting events. During the next few years, I will improve on the content and photos to keep you coming back for more. I take pride in my photography and try my best to be first in when possible. The majority of the photos will be from the Norwich companies & surrounding area departments, but sometimes I Buff out of state cities for a change of pace.
As of late I have missed or worked a lot of the incidents. I have a great support group of Photographers to help the site keep up with all the incidents. There are too many to list, So thanks for your support. Thanks for visiting and enjoy .RD Ladd
As of July 2017, my site has had 319000 hits thanks for viewing. If you keep coming I will keep posting. First time visitors for older post click on the month links right side.
Remember: I'm not able to make every major event, so if you get some photos or video and would like to share them, please contact me @ laddr68@yahoo.com
If your interested in viewing all of the incident photos or purchasing a photo That I have taken click here.
This site will work with mobile devices.
Willimantic Fire responded to the area of Pleasant and Mountain, for a reported building fire. First due reported smoke coming from the eves. Command quickly upgraded it to a 2nd alarm. The building was a 25x200+ former mixed use. With limited 2 1/2 sides to access. The center was well involved and quickly burned through the roof and extended to the rest of the building. Do to know conditions the fire was fought in the defensive mode. One occupant was transported. Crews worked the fire for a few hrs before being brought under control.
More photos @ Laddsphotos
Today we gathered to remember one of the best, Rob Brown. He will be missed by more then you would think. Within the fire service and Eastern Ct. Its still hard to think a man this strong can be taken this quick. Rob has now joined the fire service, in heaven with some of the greats. He will always be remembered.
Norwich, With E-62 and Ladder 5 was Dispatched to Sunny Side Ave for a reported fire, caller was from the opposite Street and did not know the address. Car-6 arrived to find a dwelling with fire showing and declared a working fire. Mohegan Tribal Fast was added. Crews Arrived an stretched in as the first hydrant was found to be frozen and the 4th due engine laid in from Rt-12. At that time Car -1 told Bat-1 to upgrade the call to a 2nd alarm. E-33, R-5, Tower 25 and Subase as 2nd FAST. The fire was under control in about a hr.
More photos @ Laddsphotos
East Great Plain, Fire was dispatched to 476 New London Turnpike for an unknown type fire. Bat-1 added Norwich HQ, First arriving officer reported heavy smoke from the building. A working fire was declared, This added Mohegan Tribal FAST and 2 Engines from Yantic. Crews worked the 1st and 2nd floors as tower 1 opened the roof, after a short time fire vented from the roof, the was knocked down a few minutes later. NFI
More photos @ LaddsPhotos
Franklin Ct, Dec 31, 2025 around 10:30, Rt 32 #828. Lebanon and Franklin, operate at an excavator fire. More photos at Laddphotos
Norwich, Ct December 24, 2025. Norwich fire dispatched Norwich, With Engine 33 (Yantic) East Great Plan L-5 and Rescue 5 and Laurel Hill engine 61 along with Mohegan Tribal FAST. to 15 Platt Ave for a reported building fire. Eng 62(operating as Eng-2) Arrived first to find heave fire from 3 sides of the building to the rear. All occupants reported out of the building. Companies worked the fire for several hrs, the building was heavily damaged. NFI at this time.
Note: limited photos, Camera issues. More photos @ LaddsPhotos
Baltic Fire with M/A was dispatched to 61 Bushnell Hollow Road, for a house fire, Car 54 arrived to find a working fire in a 1story dwelling. Eng124 arrived and placed a 2.5 and 1.5 inch handlines into operation. As the crews knock down the fire via a picture window, a 2nd crew forced the door to make entry into the living room, to start knocking down the rest of the fire. Tower 154 was assigned ventilation. The fire was knocked down in short time.
More Photo@ Laddsphotos
Around 11 am, All town of Montville and M/A companies was dispatched for a reported Basement fire, from a 2 story dwelling. PD arrive to find fire showing from the basement window from the A Side of the dwelling. Fire due engine arrived to these conditions and placed a 1 3/4 handline in operation. Crews worked the basement and first floor of the dwelling. Command requested Tribal fire, to vented the roof. Crews had the fire knocked down in a short time. The fire is under investigation.
More Photos @ Laddsphotos
Colchester Fire with M/A was dispatched to 195 North Pond Way, for a reported fire to the rear of the dwelling, First due reported heavy fire to the rear with fire through the roof. Shortly after a 2nd alarm was requested. (More photos later tonight)
Around 8pm a working fire was declared at David Burke Restaurant, The fire quickly ran several hundred ft of ventilation Duck-work. This was a manpower based fire, the fire reached a 5th or 6th alarms. Official total has not been released, Like the fire 20 years ago, Companies that never see each other at incidents worked side by side for several hrs to bring the fire under control. Limited information has been released. I will post a couple of outside photos from a few people today.
Around 03:40 Bozrah Fire And M/A was dispatched to a house fire to the 300 block of Fitchville RD, for a reported structure fire. Upon arrival, crews found a 1st residential building and a 2 story garage well involved. NFI at this time. (cell phone photos)

I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a fireman. The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one; but we who know the work which the fireman has to do believe that his is a noble calling. Our proudest moment is to save lives. Under the impulse of such thoughts, the nobility of the occupation thrills us and stimulates us to deeds of daring, even of supreme sacrifice."