Vermont Business Magazine On Friday, April 4, 2025, at approximately 11:44 p.m., emergency responders were dispatched to Spare Time Bowling Alley, located at 215 Lower Mountain View Drive in Colchester, for a fire alarm activation. Occupants reported the smell of smoke and evacuated the building safely.
Upon arrival, fire personnel discovered that a single-room fire had already been extinguished by the building’s fire suppression system. The quick activation and performance of the sprinkler system prevented the fire from spreading, effectively saving the multi-million-dollar facility from significant damage. The presence of the automatic fire sprinkler system prevented the spread of fire, prevented injuries and the business experienced only minimal disruption and was able to reopen for business the next day.
WPTZ: 2 charged following 'suspicious' fire at Spare Time in Colchester, police say
This incident highlights the critical role of properly installed and maintained fire sprinkler systems. The Vermont Division of Fire Safety strongly encourages all property owners to review their fire protection systems to ensure they are functional and code compliant.
The fire remains under investigation by the Colchester Police Department with assistance from the Department of Public Safety’s Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit.
Source: 4.7.2025. Vermont Department of Public Safety. Division of Fire Safety.
To support vital journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
