Fire Destroys Fairfax Home

[Henry]

This is one of the homes almost to St. Albans near the Benoit Road - Witness says one family member may not have made it out:

http://www.wptz.com/news/vermont-new-york/burlington/fire-destroys-fairfax-home/25439278?utm_campaign

FAIRFAX, Vt. —A fire that tore through a Fairfax home Friday afternoon may be fatal.

A witness told WPTZ-NewsChannel 5 that her 'pop-pop' was inside the Main Street home and did not make it out.

Fairfax and Georgia departments are on the scene.

Firefighters say the home was fully engulfed and that the roof collapsed. They can not confirm that anyone was inside because they have not been inside yet. They are waiting for for state police investigators, who just arrived on scene.

The road has been closed in the area.

We’ll have more details as the story develops.


Read more: http://www.wptz.com/news/vermont-new-york/burlington/fire-destroys-fairfax-home/25439278#ixzz2ycxFNUsf

[nhibbard]

A sad sight. Best wishes to the family. Hope he wasn't in there.

[Henry]

Case Number: 14A201422

Investigator: DET SGT Walter F. Smith

Fire Investigator: DET SGT Jeremy Hill

Fire Dept.: Georgia Fire Dept.
                  Fairfax Fire Dept.
                  St. Albans Fire Dept.

Date/Time: 4/11/2014 at 1612 hours

Location: 2993 Main St.
                Fairfax, VT

Summary:

Fire Departments responded to 2993 Main Street in Fairfax for a structure Fire. When they arrived the structure was engulfed. It was learned that there were two occupants inside the residence at the time the fire started and only one escaped to safety.

The Vermont State Police Fire Investigations Unit and a Detective were called to the scene to conduct an investigation. The body was located inside the structure and transported to the Medical Examiners office to determine cause of death and confirm identification.

Investigation determined that the fire was accidental and the death doesn't appear to be suspicious.

The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending positive identification by the Medical Examiner

[Chris Santee]

On 4/11/2014 at approximately 1612 hours Joseph Benoit died in a fatal fire at his home in the Town of Fairfax, VT. Investigation revealed that the fire was accidental and the death is not considered suspicious. It was learned that Joseph Benoit was attempting to light his wood stove and was spraying a flamable liquid into the fire box. The flames ignited Benoit's clothing and he and his wife attempted to put the fire out. Phyllis Benoit attempted to assist her husband Joseph until the flames, heat and smoke became to dangerous to stay any longer. Phyllis was able to make it to safety but Joseph remained inside the residence. Rescue attempts were made to extract Joseph but they were unsuccessfull. Joseph Benoit was pronounced deceased at the scene.

[mkr]

Most will know them as Leo and Marie Benoit.