WHITE RIVER JUNCTION โ€” Capt. Jack Hedges, of the Hartford Fire Department spoke with Dr. Tara Symancyk and her husband, Anthony, after responding to an automatic fire alarm at White River Dentist on North Hartland Road in White River Junction on Friday.

Firefighters found a malfunctioning air conditioning unit spreading light smoke through the building’s ductwork and powered it down before venting the building.

Lt. Taylor Wilkins, left, and firefighter / paramedic Sean Spencer, right, check to see if any smoke is coming out of roof vents at White River Dentist in White River Junction, Vt., after turning off an air conditioning unit that was smoking on Friday, March 27, 2026. Fire crews departed after venting the building and communicating with representatives from the dental practice. JAMES M. PATTERSON / Valley News

“We’re really grateful they responded as quickly as they did,” and that the building has an automatic fire alarm, said Symancyk.