ROCHESTER — Firefighters from Granville and Hancock were called to fight a major blaze that claimed a Rochester home just before New Year’s.

Rochester firefighters called for help after they arrived at 233 Bindrum Lane in Rochester and found the single-family log home fully involved with fire at around 3:30 on Dec. 30.

First responders from Hancock and Granville joined in to battle the flames and fought the blaze for several hours. They were unable to save the structure.  As part of the fire chief’s assessment of the fire scene he contacted the Department of Public Safety Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit (FEIU) for assistance in figuring out the cause of the fire.

Members of the FEIU determined that the fire began in the northeast corner of the first floor and spread rapidly throughout the structure; the cause of the fire is under investigation. The residence, owned by Jeremiah Bindrum, was not occupied at the time of the fire, and there were no reported injuries. Damage to the residence and contents is estimated to be more than $450,000.

Anyone with information about this fire is asked to call the Vermont State Police in Royalton at 802-234-9933 or the Vermont Arson Tip Award Program at 800-32-ARSON. The Arson Tip Award Program is a separate entity from the state police, and through funding from insurance companies offers a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest in this case.