LEICESTER — State police responded to a third-party report of a domestic disturbance at 1691 US Route 7 in Leicester just after 11 p.m. on the night of Sunday, Sept. 4, only to find the residence partially engulfed in flames upon their arrival.
Troopers from the New Haven Barracks attempted to extinguish the fire while checking the building for occupants. The officers contacted the Leicester Fire Department to assist in putting out the fire, and it was ultimately determined that no one had been inside the residence during the fire.
Additionally, the Vermont State Police Fire and Explosion Unit was contacted to investigate the fire’s origin and cause. At that time, the fire’s cause was deemed suspicious.
Detectives from the state police and investigators from the Division of Fire Safety were able to ascertain that a male and female had been inside the residence prior to the fire. An altercation occurred, and the female was said to have fled the residence, leaving the male behind.
The investigators also obtained information that revealed the male had left the residence shortly after the female, only to return soon after that— leaving again just moments before the arrival of the State Troopers.
The fire is currently still under investigation and is considered suspicious.
Anyone with information concerning this fire is asked to contact Det. Sgt. James Wright of the Vermont State Police at 802-442-5421.
People with information may also contact the Vermont Arson Tip Award Program at 800-32-ARSON. The Arson Tip Award Program is a separate entity from the state police, and funding from insurance companies offers a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest in this case.
