MONKTON — Vermont State Police have cited Denis White, 31, of Monkton for first-degree arson for allegedly setting fire to his family’s barn off White Ridge Lane on Feb. 24.
It was at around 3 a.m. on Feb. 24 that the Monkton Fire Department responded to a fire at 271 White Ridge Lane. A Monkton resident reported the fire after observing an “orange glow” in the area of White Ridge Lane. When firefighters arrived on scene, they found a horse barn with an attached indoor riding ring fully involved.
The barn and the riding ring had already collapsed and the structure could not be saved. Monkton firefighters learned that two horses were not accounted for, but found them later unharmed.
A total of 14 horses were kept at the barn, and the other 12 horses were outside in the paddock at the time.
As the result of an ongoing investigation conducted by the Vermont State Police Fire Investigation Unit, Denis White was cited to appear in Addison County court on March 25 to answer to the arson charge. At the time of the fire, the barn was jointly owned by White and his wife, Kaitlyn, according to police.
Several people had been boarding their horses at the barn when the fire occurred. All the property they stored at the barn was destroyed in the fire. The damage to the structure and contents is estimated at $220,000, police said.