The fire down below that spreads upward

COURTESY
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — At approximately 11:45 p.m. on Nov. 7, the Springfield Fire Department was notified and responded to a reported structure fire at 50 Valley Street in Springfield, Vermont. This structure, owned by Michael Hopkins, was described as an occupied residential building. While en-route to this call, it was confirmed to be a working structure fire. The Springfield Fire Department responded and upgraded this response to a second alarm bringing in several mutual aid departments from the area. Upon arrival the fire department was met with heavy fire on the west side of the structure. Fire extended up the exterior and interior walls of this structure spreading to the third floor and roof area. Fire departments were able to contain the fire to the structure of origin. The building suffered heavy fire and water damage. Damage is estimated to be in excess of $120,000.

During his assessment of the fire, the Springfield Fire Chief Russ Thompson contacted the Vermont Department of Public Safety Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit for assistance to determine the origin and cause of the fire. Investigators from the Vermont State Police and Vermont Division of Fire Safety visited the scene during the morning hours on Nov. 8 and began an investigation. It was determined the fire originated in the west side area of the basement. The investigation showed that this fire originated near a pellet stove exhaust pipe and the structure’s sill plate area. Investigation showed that the fire spread from this area to the nearby combustible materials, which were being used as insulation. These materials led to a rapid fire spread throughout the structure.

This fire is not considered suspicious. No injuries were reported at this fire. The residents were not home at the time of this fire. Numerous pets inside the residence survived the fire without injury.

This fire is currently classified as accidental with no suspicious circumstances. This fire was caused by heat from the vent pipe of the pellet stove in too close a proximity to nearby combustible materials.

Anyone with information regarding this fire is asked to contact the Vermont State Police barracks in Rutland at 802-773-9101, Detective Senior Sergeant Thomas Williams at 802-773-9101.

The Vermont Arson Tip Award Program offers a monetary reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of anyone involved in an arson fire. Please call 1-800-32-ARSON(1-800-322-7766).