STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
FIRE INVESTIGATION UNIT
VERMONT STATE POLICE

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Highgate House Fire

TROOPER:  Detective Sergeant Jeremy Hill
STATION: St. Albans
CONTACT#: 802-524-5993

DATE/TIME: 10/4/09 at approx. 10 pm

LOCATION (specific): 366 Tarte Road Highgate, Vt

VICTIM: Gilbert Boucher

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

On 10/4/09 at approx. 10 pm the Highgate Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on the Tarte Road in Highgate.  When the fire department arrived on scene the structure had already collapsed.  The structure was an unoccupied home which had been vacant for some time.  No one was hurt as a result of the fire.

On 10/5/09 the Vermont State Police were contacted to assist with an origin and cause investigation.  Fire investigators from the Vermont State Police and the Division of Fire and Safety responded to the scene.  The cause of the fire is still under investigation but the fire was intentionally set.   

State Police are asking anyone with information or anyone who may have seen anything to contact the Vermont Arson Tip Program at 1-800-32-ARSON or the Vermont State Police at 802-524-5993.