On Aug. 17, at approximately 2:20 a.m. the Rochester Fire Dept. was dispatched to a report of a vehicle fire at 398 S. Main St. in Rochester. The Rochester Fire Dept. responded to the scene and found the vehicle fully involved. Fire suppression efforts were conducted and immediately put the fire out. Unfortunately, the fire destroyed the vehicle prior the suppression of the fire.
The vehicle was owned by Chalamiysh Alexander of Rochester.
As part of his scene assessment, Rochester Fire Chief Terry Covery contacted the Vermont Dept. of Public Safety Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit for assistance in determining the origin and cause of the fire. Members of that unit responded to the scene and conducted an investigation. The vehicle had been parked in the driveway of 398 S. Main St. awaiting repairs to be sold. Information has been obtained that indicated a vehicle had been seen driving up and down S. Main St. in Rochester setting off various fireworks as it drove along the road and in very close proximity to the victim’s vehicle. The investigation as revealed that it is likely embers from the exploded fireworks are most likely the cause of the fire.
This fire remains under investigation and is considered suspicious.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Det. Sgt. James Wright at the Royalton Barracks at 802-234-9933 or by contacting the Vermont Arson Tip Award Program (VATAP) hotline at 1-800-32-ARSON (1-800-322-7766).
