Search Through Rubble Yields Cause of Middlebury Fire

During the cold and windy night hours of Wednesday, March 6, Middlebury firefighters fought a house fire at 381 Lake Shore Drive.

On Thursday, March 7, firefighters continued to extinguish hot spots and then began investigating the cause of the fire that destroyed a home, according to a press release from Middlebury Acting Chief Richard Wildman. The residents were reportedly not injured in the fire.

"There is no foul play suspected and an accidental is the likely cause," said Wildman. "The investigation has centered around the wood stove in the basement which was going at the time of the fire."

Police, local and state fire marshals spent most of Thursday sifting through the rubble to determine the cause.

Middlebury Public Works assisted with heavy equipment to help the fire department get to the hot spots and then to clear debris so investigators could search for a cause, Wildman said.

A complete report will be filed by the state fire marshal's office in the coming weeks, he said.