Firefighters first responded to an alarm at the Stowe Free Library shortly after 11 p.m., where the first person who arrived on the scene noticed smoke and an orange glow coming from the building.
Stowe Fire Captain Kyle Walker got into the library and put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher, according to the Vermont State Police.
But while other firefighters were responding, a second fire was seen at the back of 638 South Main Street, a building that houses five businesses. Firefighters were still battling the blaze at 2 a.m. Sunday morning when Vermont State Police were called in to investigate the two fires.
The building is considered “a total loss,” according to police. Police say the fire started at the back of the building on the exterior and spread from the basement to the roof and through the building.
All five businesses will not be able to operate from the building as a result of the damage from the fire, according to police.
Damage to the library was “minimal,” according to police — estimated at a value of approximately $10,000. The fire appeared to have started near a window sill on the outside of the building.
“Both of these fires started on the exterior of the buildings, but the exact causes are undetermined at this time and remain under investigation,” police said in a release.
Police asked anyone with information about the fires to contact Det. Sgt. Fred Whitcomb of the Stowe Police Department at 802-253-7126, Det. Sgt. Todd Ambroz at 802-878-7111, or the Vermont Arson Tip Award Progam (VATAP) hotline at 1-800-32-ARSON.