[S]tate and local investigators say a fire that consumed a Vermont Country Store warehouse in Clarendon Saturday night is not suspicious.
Officials with the Vermont State Police and the Vermont Division of Fire Safety investigated the source of the fire over a two-day period and determined that the fire originated in the middle of the building.
The fire heavily damaged the warehouse, which stored overflow stock for the Vermont Country Store. Losses are estimated at more than $2 million. The damaged stock represents 5 percent of the company’s inventory. No one was injured; the warehouse was unoccupied at the time of the fire.
An on-scene investigation was conducted on Sunday and Monday, according to a press release from state police. The investigation team found a propane heating unit and propane lines in the middle of the building that showed fire damage not consistent “with only being involved in the fire.” Nearby combustible materials rapidly spread the fire, police say.
The state police have classified the fire as “undetermined with no suspicious circumstances.” The investigation will continue with an analysis by engineers and system specialists.
Anyone with information about the fire should contact Detective Senior Sergeant Thomas Williams at the Vermont State Police barracks in Rutland at (802)773-9101.
