By Polly Mikula
KILLINGTON — A fast-burning fire rendered one of the oldest houses in Killington a total loss early Wednesday morning, Jan. 24.
The Neil family lived at 202 Old Route 4, tucked away above Kent Pond on a remnant of the old two-lane road over Sherburne Pass that preceded the 1960s highway improvements that created the present four-lane highway.
“Tabitha Neil, the primary homeowner, awoke to the smell of smoke and discovered the fire climbing up the wall and onto the ceiling of the first floor,” reported Killington Fire Chief Paul Ginther. “She alerted the other occupants and they were all able to get out safely,” he reported.
There were four adults and one teenager in the house at the time. The Neils also had many pets, not all of whom escaped the blazes.
“Tabitha had left the door open for them to try to escape. I believe they got the four dogs out, but lost multiple cats, a snake, a rabbit and a turtle,” said Ginther.
Ginther said he believed there were 18 cats in the house when the fire broke out, but the only cats found on the scene were deceased.
Outside, the family also had chickens and goats, which were not displaced by the fire, and are still on property and being cared for.
The fire isn’t considered suspicious, said Ginther. He said it was likely accidental in nature caused by a heating source, likely a pellet stove. The official cause is still under investigation. The house is considered a total loss.
Ginther said his department was dispatched after a 911 call came through at 1:47 a.m. from Tabitha Neil reporting the fire there. When firefighters arrived they were able to fight the fire from the first floor from the inside, but were forced after structural damage made it unsafe.
“It was a defensive battle from there,” he said.
“From my understanding, it’s one of the oldest houses in Killington, it had large dimensional lumber that was very old. Once the fire got hold of that, it was very difficult to get under control.”
While Ginther said it was deemed under control about an hour or two hours after they arrived, fire crews remained there until about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday— over 10 hours later — making sure there were no “hidden fire or smolderings in order to prevent a re-kindle.”
It took 11 fire departments, with 50 firefighters, and an estimated 40,000 gallons of water to put the fire out, which “although sounds like a lot, it’s actually a reasonable amount of water” for this type of fire, he said.
Seven tanker trucks carried the water to the scene from the 11 departments that responded.
Besides Killington, departments from Pittsfield, Bridgewater, Rutland Town, Rutland City, West Rutland, Clarendon, Pittsford, Proctor, Plymouth and Woodstock worked to put out the fire, said Ginther. Regional Ambulance was there, as were Killington Police, and Green Mountain Power cut the electricity.
“We had a good turnout for members and a great turnout from mutual aid,” he said.
This was Ginther’s first house fire as chief of the Killington Fire Dept. “The last structure fire in town was 13 months ago,” he said.
“Being new to town, I have to say, I’m extremely impressed with the community support,” he added. “The amount of response from supplies to well-wishes is very impressive.”
Police Chief Whit Montgomery helped to coordinate a supply drive with volunteer community member Patrick Cushing and they opened the community room in the public safety building to organize the supplies.
“People have been very generous, people really stepped up,” said Montgomery.
“Patrick volunteered and has been there all day today organizing supplies and will probably be there this weekend, too,” Ginther said in an interview Thursday, Jan. 25. “Money, however, is going to be a need for a while,” he added.
To that end, Kate Austin-Avon and Patrick Cushing started a Go Fund Me appeal for the family. As of Thursday, Jan. 25, $17,620 had been raised.
“My friend and elementary school classmate Tabitha Neil just lost everything in a house fire last night,” Austin-Avon wrote on the fundraising page Wednesday, Jan. 24. “There is no insurance on the property and rebuilding takes funding. The GoFundMe money should hit Tabby’s bank account in up to five business days so anything that can be brought to the fire house today for immediate help is appreciated,” she wrote.
The Neil family has also met with the American Red Cross for support.
“In preparation for winter, it’s really important for people to make sure their heating sources have been serviced, their chimney cleaned, they properly store fuel and keep anything that can combust away from heat sources,” Chief Ginther said. “Also make sure smoke detectors are multiple and in working condition and everyone knows the plan to escape.”
For more information, updates or to donate to the Neil family, visit: GoFundMe.com/f/help-the-neil-family-recover-from-their-house-fire.
