Editor’s note: This article is by the Stowe Reporter/Waterbury Record, in which it was first published June 19, 2014.
A fire that caused more than $10,000 damage to a retail complex in Middlesex was set intentionally, investigators say.
The fire was reported Friday, June 13, at 2:13 in the morning; the building at 961 U.S. 2 houses Red Hen Bakery, Ann’s Weavery and Nutty Steph’s Chocolaterie. Don and Leise Wexler of Moretown own the building.
A reward of up to $5,000 is available in the case.
An employee working inside Red Hen Bakery heard a smoke alarm and telephoned the Middlesex Fire Department, which called in the Waterbury and Worcester fire departments to help.
The firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, which occurred in a part of the building that is under construction. No one was injured, but damage is estimated at more than $10,000.
At the request of Middlesex fire officials, the fire was investigated by Vermont State Police fire detectives, an investigator from the state Division of Fire Safety, and a state police dog skilled in sniffing out fire accelerants.
Investigators found that the fire had been set intentionally.
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call Vermont State Police or the arson tip line at 800-32-ARSON; a reward of up to $5,000 is available for information resulting in an arrest.
