SHREWSBURY — A man died in a fire that destroyed a home on Cold River Road, police and fire officials said Saturday.
The man’s identity is being withheld pending positive identification.
Shrewsbury Fire Chief Russell Carrara said a husband and wife lived at the two-story home at 8534 Cold River Road. The house had a one-story apartment addition, he said, but it was not being lived in.
Carrara, who lives about a mile away from the fire scene, said he started getting phone calls from neighbors about explosions at the home even before the fire department was dispatched shortly before 4 p.m. Friday.
As he left his home, he said, he saw heavy black smoke coming from the fire scene.
The home was fully involved in flames when he arrived, Carrara said. He was told someone might still be in the house, but the fire was very intense.
“The fire was just so hot, (but) we made several attempts,” the chief said.
The man’s body was found after the fire was brought under control.
Carrara said Saturday night the cause of the fire is undetermined, but the explosions might have been related to a furnace.
He said he didn’t believe the man was trapped by the fire, but his death might be related to the explosions.
“It’s still undetermined. It’s under investigation,” he said.
Vermont State Police fire investigators were called to the scene. A state police report issued Saturday said the fire did not appear to be suspicious.
Carrara said seven fire departments helped bring water to the scene, including Wallingford, East Wallingford, Mount Holly, Clarendon, Rutland Town and Ludlow. He said that his own Shrewsbury department ran a 5-inch hose up the home’s long driveway to fight the blaze.
A witness said more than 30 tankerfuls of water were brought to the scene.
Police said the fire caused $200,000 in damage.
The fire chief said he expects to have more information about the fire by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Anyone with information is asked to call the state police fire investigators at 878-7111.
The man’s identity is being withheld pending positive identification.
Shrewsbury Fire Chief Russell Carrara said a husband and wife lived at the two-story home at 8534 Cold River Road. The house had a one-story apartment addition, he said, but it was not being lived in.
Carrara, who lives about a mile away from the fire scene, said he started getting phone calls from neighbors about explosions at the home even before the fire department was dispatched shortly before 4 p.m. Friday.
As he left his home, he said, he saw heavy black smoke coming from the fire scene.
The home was fully involved in flames when he arrived, Carrara said. He was told someone might still be in the house, but the fire was very intense.
“The fire was just so hot, (but) we made several attempts,” the chief said.
The man’s body was found after the fire was brought under control.
Carrara said Saturday night the cause of the fire is undetermined, but the explosions might have been related to a furnace.
He said he didn’t believe the man was trapped by the fire, but his death might be related to the explosions.
“It’s still undetermined. It’s under investigation,” he said.
Vermont State Police fire investigators were called to the scene. A state police report issued Saturday said the fire did not appear to be suspicious.
Carrara said seven fire departments helped bring water to the scene, including Wallingford, East Wallingford, Mount Holly, Clarendon, Rutland Town and Ludlow. He said that his own Shrewsbury department ran a 5-inch hose up the home’s long driveway to fight the blaze.
A witness said more than 30 tankerfuls of water were brought to the scene.
Police said the fire caused $200,000 in damage.
The fire chief said he expects to have more information about the fire by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Anyone with information is asked to call the state police fire investigators at 878-7111.
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