The Dept. of Public Safety fire and explosion investigation unit investigated a fire at 109 Martinsville Road in Hartland, May 13 just after 8 a.m. The fire was in a double wide mobile home owned by Karen Walker with Amanda Walker as a tenant. The homeowner left the home around 6:20 a.m. that morning, police reported. A neighbor noticed smoke coming from the roof around 8 a.m. and went to investigate. She found the home full of smoke when she entered and could see fire in the kitchen. She exited the home, closed the door, and called 911.
When the Hartland fire department arrived, they found fire in the kitchen extending to the remainder of the home. They were able to contain the fire to the kitchen. The kitchen was heavily damaged by fire. The remainder of the home had smoke, heat and water damage. There were no injuries.
Hartland Fire Chief Saunders requested assistance from the Dept. of Public Safety fire and explosion investigation unit to determine the area of origin and the fire cause. Investigators from the unit arrived on scene the following morning and determined that the fire started on the kitchen counter in the area of a toaster and coffee maker. The cause will be listed as undetermined. The fire is not suspicious.
The home had working smoke alarms and the alarms were sounding when the neighbor entered the home.
Safety message
The neighbor who noticed the fire and entered the home to see what was happening had the presence of mind to close the door when she left. Closing the door stopped air from getting to the fire, slowing the fire spread allowing time for the fire department to arrive. Closing all doors on your way out of a burning home will significantly slow the fire spread.
For more information visit firesafety.vermont.gov.
