State fire investigators seek tips on suspicious Richmond garage fire

August 16, 2021 | By Waterbury Roundabout

A garage on Hinesburg Road in Richmond was destroyed by a fire on Sunday that state investigators consider suspicious. Photo courtesy Vermont State Police

Vermont state fire investigators say an early morning fire that destroyed a garage and workshop in Richmond is suspicious. 

According to a state police press release, no one was injured and a nearby home on the property was not damaged by the blaze. The fire happened around 4 a.m. Sunday. Richmond firefighters arrived to a reported structure fire at 3622 Hinesburg Road in Richmond and found a detached garage engulfed in flames, according to a report from Det. Sgt. Matthew Hill of the state police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit.          . 

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire and save the family residence located just 35 feet from the garage, Hill wrote.         

Afterward, the local fire chief contacted the fire investigation unit for assistance in determining the origin and cause of the fire. State investigators later that day visited to examine the scene and interview witnesses, police said. 

“The cause of the fire is under investigation but appears to be the result of direct human involvement and the circumstances surrounding the fire are considered suspicious,” Hill’s report says. 

The garage, which was also a workshop, was destroyed and the value of the building and its contents are estimated at more than $100,000, officials said. The property is owned by Alan and Hilde Caswell, ages 60 and 59. No injuries were reported. 

Anyone with information should contact the Vermont State Police in Williston at 802-878-7111 or the Vermont Arson Tip Award Program at (800)32-ARSON. A reward of up to $5,000 may be offered for information that leads to an arrest in this case.