On Dec.19 at about 4:45 p.m. a neighbor who lives on Independent Drive in Hartland saw flames coming from the basement area of the home at 17 Independent Drive and called 911. Upon arrival of the fire department, the house was fully engulfed in flames from the basement to the roof. Several local fire departments assisted at the scene and had to relay water from a nearby dry hydrant to a portable pond to keep a continuous supply of water.
Once the blaze was under control the Hartland Fire Chief John Sanders requested the assistance from the DPS Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit (FEIU). On Dec. 20 at 8 a.m., members of the FEIU responded to the scene to conduct an origin and cause investigation of the fire. Due to the extensive damage and almost complete consumption of the home, the cause of the fire remains undetermined.
The origin, based on the witness who saw the fire and called 911, was in the basement. The two story house had burned almost completely while the roof, second and first floors had collapsed into the basement and were also consumed in the fire. The home is owned by Stephen and Marlene Murray, who were not home when the fire occurred. They lost six German Shepherd dogs who were inside the home. No humans were injured during the fire, but the house is a total loss. The fire remains under investigation and anyone having any information regarding the fire is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Todd Ambroz at 802-878-7111 or by email at todd.ambroz@vermont.gov.
