ADDISON COUNTY — Vermont State 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.
Uniformed 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 having 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.
In other recent activity, troopers:
•  On Feb. 19 received a report of the theft of multiple credit cards, an ATM card, a flashlight, and a ring from a car in Weybridge on Feb. 17. The total value of the items was $110. Anyone with information is asked to contact VSP Trooper Andrew Leise at 1-802-388-4919. Information can also be submitted anonymously online at www.vtips.info or by texting “CRIMES” (274637) to Keyword: VTIPS.
•  On Feb. 19 at 10:38 p.m. responded to a one-car crash on Panton Road in Panton. Police said Michael E. Johnson, 49, of Addison was driving a 2003 Toyota 4-Runner westbound on Panton Road when he lost control of the vehicle, traveled off the north side of the roadway and overturned. Police said the snowy road conditions were a factor in the crash. Johnson sustained minor injuries; police said the 4-Runner was totaled. The collision is still under investigation.
•  On Feb. 20 at 5:44 p.m. responded to one-vehicle crash on Burpee Road at Monkton Road in Bristol. Police said Robert R. Stubbins, 63, of Rutland was driving a 2003 Chevy Silverado northbound on Burpee Road, drove through an intersection at Monkton Road, went off the east side of Monkton Road, and collided with an electrical pole. The pickup came to rest in a farmer’s field. Stubbins sustained minor injuries; the truck was totaled. Police said neither speed nor impairment were contributing factors. Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Bristol Fire Department.
•  On Feb. 20 at 6:40 p.m. responded to a two-car crash on Route 7 near the intersection of Ferson Road in Leicester. Police said that Dominic Popp, 19, of Brandon was driving a 2005 Chevy Cobalt when he didn’t see a 2006 Pontiac Vibe driven by Kathryn Jackson, 44, of Leicester, stopped to make a turn. Popp’s Chevy struck the rear end of Jackson’s Pontiac, damaging both vehicles. Both cars were towed from the scene. Anyone with information is asked to contact the VSP.
•  On Feb. 21 at 5:30 p.m. responded to a crash in Addison. Police said Timothy Cousino, 33, of Bristol was driving a 2010 Toyota Camry westbound on Route 17 in a light snow when he was unable to negotiate a sharp corner and went off the south side of the road. In doing so he went through a guard rail and wooden fence. Police cited Cousino for driving under the influence of alcohol and careless and negligent driving.
•  On Feb. 21 at 10:19 p.m. stopped a motor vehicle on Route 116 in Bristol. Troopers said that during this stop they found that a passenger, Kraton Chaloux, was in possession of marijuana. They cited Chaloux, 22, of Bristol, for possession of marijuana.
•  On Feb. 22 at 3:45 p.m. received a report of a burglary at a home in Salisbury. Approximately $20,000 in personal property was reported stolen from the unlocked residence. Vermont State Police continue to encourage citizens to keep their homes secured upon leaving whether it is for a short period of time or for the whole day. Anyone with information is asked to contact Trooper Leise.
•  On Feb 22 at 8 p.m. received a report of the theft of a plastic, 130-gallon sap collection tank off Tyler Bridge Road in Monkton. The tank had been placed near the road at a collection point. Anyone with information is asked to contact VSP.
•  On Feb. 23 at 3:10 p.m. responded to a report of a shooting in Starksboro. Police said their investigation revealed that the victim was firing a shotgun at a target behind his residence. While reloading the shotgun, he accidentally discharged the shotgun, shooting himself in the foot and causing a significant injury. The Bristol Rescue Squad treated and transported the victim to Fletcher Allen Health Care for treatment.
•  On Feb. 23, at 5:53 p.m. cited Walter Bell, 49, of Bristol for driving with a criminally suspended license on East Street in Bristol.
•  On Feb. 23 at 8:13 p.m. responded to a one-vehicle crash on Route 17 in Starksboro. Police said a 17-year-old was westbound on Route 17 in light snow, when he lost control of the vehicle on a sharp curve and it went off the south side of Route 17 and collided with a ledge. This collision caused minor injuries to the driver and extensive damage to the front of the vehicle.
•  On Feb. 23 at 9:30 p.m. responded to a report of a vehicle off the road on Mountain Road in Monkton. Police ended up citing Jacob Clark, 20, of Hinesburg, for driving under the influence of alcohol, careless and negligent driving, giving false information to a police officer, and consumption of alcohol by a minor.
•  On Feb. 23 at 11:30 p.m. cited Leslie A. Newton, 39, of Hancock for driving a 1991 Volvo with a criminally suspended license on Route 100.
•  On Feb. 24 at 6:48 p.m. stopped a motor vehicle driven westbound on Route 116 in Bristol by Ivan Steadman, 31, of Huntington. Police cited Steadman for driving with a criminally suspended license and violation of conditions of release.
•  On Feb. 24 at 7:45 p.m. responded to a two-vehicle crash on Silver Street in Monkton. Police said that Tawny Bristol, 21, of West Rutland was driving a 2008 Chevy Malibu behind a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Hilary Davis, 46, of Burlington. As the Jeep approached the stop sign on Silver Street at the intersection to the Monkton-Vergennes Road the Malibu did not stop in time and collided with the Jeep. This collision caused minor damage to both vehicles, but no one was injured. Police said Bristol left the scene of the accident without stopping to render assistance or identify herself to the other operator. Investigation revealed that Bristol was the operator and was driving with a suspended license and no insurance. Bristol was charged with leaving the scene of an accident.