TOWNSHEND, Vt. — An early Sunday morning structure fire that destroyed a barn and took the lives of three goats in Townshend has been deemed by police as not suspicious.
Investigators with the Vermont State Police/Division of Fire Safety Fire Investigative Unit are calling the cause “undetermined” after identifying numerous potential sources for the blaze, none of which were suspicious, all according to a statement released by Vermont state police.
On Sunday, at approximately 12:39 a.m. the Townshend Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 1881 Deer Valley Road in Townshend. The owner, Carl Ferenbach of Townshend, called 911 after getting up and seeing flames coming from his barn, located across the street from his home, according to police.
When fire personnel arrived, the blaze was located on the second floor of the barn. It compromised the roof but crews were able to knock down the fire as it progressed through the entire structure. The building and its contents were completely destroyed. Damage was estimated at approximately $250,000.
The barn was part of a working horse farm. All the animals survived except for three goats, according to police. No other injuries were reported.
Townshend Fire Chief Glen Bedi contacted the Vermont State Police/Division of Fire Safety Fire Investigative Unit and requested an origin and cause investigation of the fire. Because the fire chief did not believe the fire was suspicious, a response was arranged for Monday morning.
Three detectives from the Vermont State Police and one investigator from the state Division of Fire Safety, making up the Fire Investigative Unit, responded. An origin and cause investigation was initiated and completed, according to the state police.
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