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

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT: FIRE

CASE #: 09D202950

TROOPER: Det Sgt Fred Cornell      
STATION: St. Johnsbury    
CONTACT#: 802-748-3111

DATE/TIME:  11-01-09 @ 2229 hours

LOCATION (specific): # 4 and # 10 Kimbell Hill Putney Vermont

VICTIM:  #1: The Putney Historical Society  Owner of # 4 Kimbell Hill Building 

VICTIM #2:

• Neil Madow    Owner of # 10 Kimbell Hill Building      AGE: 58
  ADDRESS:  40 Industrial Drive, Bellows Falls, Vermont
• Tenants of # 10 Kimbell Hill

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT

On 11-01-2009 at approximately 2229 hours the Putney Fire Department responded to # 4 Kimbell Hill for a report of structure fire. Chief Thomas Goddard reported that upon arrival the building was fully involved and the fire had extended into the building next door. Chief Goddard requested mutual aid support for the fire and was able to contain the fire to the # 4 Kimbell Hill building. The # 4 Kimbell Hill building is owned by the Putney Historical Society and had recently completed phase one of a project to bring the building back as a convenience type store. The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The second building at # 10 Kimbell Hill had a business on the first floor which was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The three apartments above the business in the building were occupied and the tenants were able to exit the building. There were no reported injuries in the fire. The loss of both buildings is valued at approximately $800,000.00. The fire has displaced the four tenants in the # 10 Kimbell Hill building.
 
Chief Goddard requested an origin and cause examination of the building. Members of the Vermont State Police Fire Investigation Unit responded to conduct the investigation. They were assisted at the scene by the Vermont Division of Fire Safety and a Massachusetts State Police Fire Unit K-9 and handler Trooper Gerald Perwak.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is currently under investigation but is considered suspicious. Anyone with any information about the fire is asked to call Det Sgt Fred Cornell at 802-748-3111 or call the Vermont Arson Tip Award Program (VATAP) anonymously at 800-32-ARSON.

PRESS PLEASE NOTE:  All further inquiries about this fire are to be directed to Windham County State’s Attorney Tracy Shriver at 802-257-2860.