Warren, VT (February 20, 2014) – The fire that broke out Monday morning at the Mountainside Condominium complex near Sugarbush Resort is extinguished, but the recovery is just beginning.

Fire departments from more than six towns responded to the fire. All occupants—families, dogs, and cats—were evacuated safely and without injury. But 36 condominium units and their contents were completely destroyed.

While-Sugarbush Resort does not own or manage the Mountainside Condominium complexes, employees of the resort responded early Monday morning to provide shelter and food for the displaced occupants, and to assist the fire departments. The very large volume of water needed to fight the fire was initially supplied by hydrants on the domestic water system serving the complex. However, when the domestic reservoirs were nearly depleted, Sugarbush Resort supplied the firefighting effort with water pumped from its snowmaking system, which draws water from a large reservoir adjacent to the Mad River. The snowmaking system provided water pumped at rates between 800 and 1200 gallons per minute, for approximately 8 hours, until the fire was contained.

The resort worked with the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce and various lodging establishments to shelter those immediately displaced. Sugarbush staff and volunteers have also collaborated with the board of Mountainside Condominiums on a website that will allow volunteers to assist victims in the days and weeks to come. The website, www.mountainsidefire.org, went live today.

“Our hearts go out to those affected by this tragedy at one of our neighboring properties, “ said Win Smith, President of Sugarbush Resort. “The victims are members of our Sugarbush community, and we are committed to doing everything we can to help them get back on their feet.”

A discussion on the fire is up at AlpineZone forums at the following link: http://forums.alpinezone.com/showthread.php/128498-Mountainside-Condo-s-at-Sugarbush-fire?p=826714