Incident/Structure Fire
STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY FIRE & EXPLOSION INVESTIGATION UNIT
VERMONT STATE POLICE – Westminster Barracks
Case # 18B106855
FIRE INVESTIGATORS: Detective Sergeant Steven Otis VSP & Assistant State Fire Marshal Josh Maxham from Division of Fire Safety.
STATION: Westminster
CONTACT# 802-722-4600
DATE/TIME: 11/13/18 @ approx. 2:00 PM
INCIDENT LOCATION: 5736 Windham Hill Road Windham, VT
INCIDENT: Structure Fire Investigation
Owner of home/victims: Gary Altpfart of Norwalk, CT
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:
At approximately 3:35 PM on 11/13/18, the Windham Fire Department was notified of a structure fire at 5736 Windham Hill Road in Windham. This single family home was vacant at the time of the fire and owned by folks outside the State of Vermont. Upon arrival the Windham Fire Department they encountered heavy fire located at the rear of the building. They began and exterior and interior attack and were able to contain the bulk of the fire to this area. The rest of the house sustained heavy heat and smoke damage. Once the fire was out the Windham Fire Chief, Jonathan Gordon, contacted the VT Department of Public Safety Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit for assistance with the origin and cause determination. Investigators from the VT State Police and VT Division of Fire Safety responded to the scene immediately but due to darkness were unable to complete their examination of the scene. They received consent by the owner and returned to the scene on 11/14/18 to complete the investigation.
The investigation showed the fire originated at the ground level at the rear corner of the building. In interviewing the owner this area was directly above a sump pump and a run of low voltage heat tape that had been in use for over ten years. Due to the damage and location of the these appliances it is likely one failed and caused this structure fire. The fire had spread to the rest of the house and the wood frame home is considered a total loss. This fire is currently classified as undetermined/accidental as it cannot be determined which item caused the fire.
The Department of Public Safety Fire & Explosion Unit recommends all homes that utilize “heat tape” to prevent the freezing of pipes by diligent in inspecting these items frequently and understand they will deteriorate over time and may lead to a fire.