Blaze razes Castleton home
Toolbox
By Cristina Kumka Staff Writer - Published: April 28, 2009
CASTLETON — For the second time in less than two weeks, fire investigators have determined that a blaze destroying a Castleton mobile home and killing a family dog ignited accidentally.
Vermont State Police fire investigators ruled Monday that a Saturday evening blaze at the Rice Willis Road home of Todd and Nedra Boutwell was accidental in nature and not caused by any human wrongdoing, according to information from state police and Castleton Fire Chief Heath Goyette.
It's the second fire to rip through a Castleton double-wide mobile home in less than two weeks.
The Boutwells and their two children weren't home when the blaze started at about 5:30 p.m., but their dog, Jake, was, Goyette said.
The dog perished in the fire, he said.
Goyette said Saturday's blaze was a "tough one."
"They lived a thousand feet from my personal home," Goyette said Monday. "Some of the stuff you can't put a value on."
More than 30 firefighters from Poultney, Castleton, Fair Haven, Hubbardton and Benson responded to the blaze after a Poultney firefighter observed smoke and flames coming from the home, across the street from the Camara slate quarry, the chief said.
Firefighters battled the blaze for more than four hours, but the home was left uninhabitable, Goyette said.
The family is staying with relatives in the area, he said.
Saturday's fire came nine days after the home of Daniel and Frances Rooney was also deemed uninhabitable following an accidental fire on April 16.
That fire was also responsible for the death of Alex, the Rooney family dog.
Goyette said it was rare for his department to see this many fires in so short of a time span.
He said recent dry weather, could have contributed to the causes of both.
"I had one other structure fire in three years and now I've had two in 10 days," Goyette said.
cristina.kumka@rutlandherald.com
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