Rochester single family home lost in fire

On Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. the Rochester Fire Department was dispatched to 233 Bindrum Lane in Rochester for a report of a structure fire. When firefighters arrived, they found the single family log home owned by Jeremiah Bindrum, 48, fully involved with fire.

Firefighters from Rochester, Hancock and Granville Fire Departments fought the blaze for several hours but were unable to save the structure. As part of the fire chief’s assessment of the fire scene he contacted the Dept. of Public Safety Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit (FEIU) for assistance in determining the origin and cause of the fire event.

Members of the FEIU responded the next day (Dec. 31) to conduct the examination, which determined that the fire began in the area of the northeast corner of the first floor and spread rapidly throughout the structure; the cause of the fire is still under investigation. The residence was not occupied at the time of the fire, and there were no reported injuries.

Damage to the residence and contents is estimated to be more than $450,000.

Anyone with information about this fire is asked to call the Vermont State Police in Royalton at 802-234-9933.

People with information may also contact the Vermont arson tip award program at 800-32-ARSON. That program is a separate entity from the state police. It is funded from insurance companies and offers a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest in this case.