Fire destroys house in Highgate
Joel Banner Baird
HIGHGATE - The resident of a house near the Highgate-Swanton town line escaped without injury from a fire that destroyed his home early Monday morning, firefighters say.
"In my opinion the structure was a loss — we couldn't fight it from the inside," Asst. Chief Gary Greenough said.
Flames quickly collapsed a portion of the roof and second floor at 422 Jedware Circle, Greenough continued.
No firefighters were injured while fighting the blaze, which was reported about 4 a.m. and took about 2 hours to bring under control, he said. It was finally extinguished about 10 a.m.
An initial investigation suggests that an overheating air conditioner started the fire, Greenough said.
Fire departments from Swanton, Sheldon, Franklin and St. Albans Town worked with Highgate Volunteer Fire Department at the scene.
Missisquoi Rescue also responded to the incident, as did the Red Cross, Greenough said.
Contact Joel Banner Baird at 802-660-1843 or joelbaird@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@VTgoingUp.