According to police reports, a fire in a single-family home on Main Street in Cavendish early Monday morning was successfully contained, thanks in part to functioning smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. The Proctorsville Fire Department responded to the incident at approximately 5:12 a.m. on January 12, 2026, with assistance from neighboring fire departments including Chester, Ludlow, Mt. Holly, Springfield, and Weathersfield.
The homeowner and his two young children escaped unharmed, largely due to an alarm that alerted them to the fire’s presence. Following the incident, the Vermont Department of Public Safety’s Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit was notified and began an investigation into the fire’s cause. Preliminary findings indicate that the fire is not considered suspicious.
The Department of Public Safety urges all residents to regularly test their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and ensure they are installed according to manufacturer guidelines. Those with information regarding the fire are encouraged to contact Detective Sgt. Christopher Blais at the Royalton Barracks at 802-234-9933 or utilize the Vermont Arson Tip Award Program hotline.
As this case remains under investigation, charges have not been filed, and future legal developments may alter the findings.
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Source: Vermont State Police
About this report AI-assisted
Source: Vermont State Police ↗
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