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

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Structure Fire

CASE #: 09C105107

TROOPER: Det. Sgt. Jeremy Hill      
STATION: St. Albans

DATE/TIME: 10/19/09 at approx. 12:30 am

LOCATION: 16 Cottage Street, Rutland

VICTIM: Joe Lemmo
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Rutland, VT

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

On 10/19/09 a little after midnight the Rutland City Fire and Police Departments responded to a structure fire on Cottage Street.  The fire was reported via 911 by more than one caller.  Rutland City Police Officers began knocking on doors and forcing other doors open to wake the occupants of the building up.  There was 5 people in the building at the time of the fire.   When the Fire Department arrived on scene the fire had already destroyed a large portion of the roof.  The fire department searched all six apartments to ensure no one else was in the building.  The Fire department also contained the fire to the attic and roof while protecting the nearby homes.  

The Vermont State Police were contacted to conduct an Origin and Cause fire investigation. Fire Investigators from the Division of Fire Safety and the Vermont State Police responded to the scene to work with the City Fire Department.  It is beleived the fire was intentionally set.  Anyone with information is asked to call the Vermont Arson Tip Award Program at 1-800-32 ARSON or the Vermont State Police at 802-773-9101.

The roof and attic area were completely destroyed by the fire. The rest of the residence received heavy water damage during the suppresion efforts. The tenants will not be able to return to the building due to the amount of damage. Estimated value $100,000.00.  No one was injured in this fire.