MONKTON — Police are looking for help in determining the origin of a fire that consumed a horse barn in Monkton early Sunday morning.
At approximately 3 a.m. on Feb. 24 the Monkton Fire Department responded to a fire at 271 White Ridge Lane in Monkton. The fire was reported after a Monkton resident saw an “orange glow” in the area of White Ridge Lane.
When the Monkton firefighters arrived on scene they found a horse barn with an attached indoor riding ring fully involved. The barn and the riding ring, owned by Denis and Kaity White, had already collapsed and the structure could not be saved.
A total of 14 horses are kept at the barn, and 12 horses were outside in the paddock at the time. Fire department officials learned that two horses were not accounted for. After searching the area those two horses were located and unharmed.
There were no injuries in connection with the fire but damage estimates are in excess of $150,000, police report.
Uniform troopers from the New Haven barracks also responded to the scene.
VSP Detective Sgt. Jeremy Hill and Division of Fire Safety Investigator Robert Patterson were called to the scene to investigate the cause of the blaze.
The origin of the fire was still under investigation late Sunday morning but is considered to be suspicious in nature. Anyone with information is asked to call the Arson Tip Line, toll-free, at 1-800-32-ARSON. Anyone not wishing to call the tip line but has information about the fire can also contact Det. Sgt. Jeremy Hill at the St. Albans VSP barracks at 802-524-5993. There is a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest.