At 7:08 a.m. Sunday, St. Johnsbury Emergency Dispatch Center, manned by Dispatcher Colburn, recieved a call of a possible structure fire on Rte. 122 in Sheffieild.
Capt. Shawn "Stetty" Stetson of the Sheffield - Wheelock Fire Department, who lives just a short distance from the reported structure fire, said there was heavy smoke showing.
The call was upgraded to a working fire as the house was fully engulfed in flames. The home is located at 2914 Rte 122.
Kieth Smith, the homeowner, was transported to Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury by Lyndon Rescue 98 for burns. He was later transported by CALEX Rescue to Fletcher Allen Hospital In Burlington.
Responding units included a tanker and an engine from Sutton Fire Department, an engine and rescue truck from Lyndonville Fire Department and a tanker from Glover Fire Department.
Temperatures were very cold, which had a severe effect on Sutton's fire engine, causing the air brake system to freeze. The engine came to an abrupt stop on Rte 122. They were able to thaw the frozen brake system and move the truck out of the way.
The American Red Cross was notified and responded to provide coffee, water, Gatorade, and hot sandwiches.
