ENOSBURGH, Vt. -
Someone is intentionally setting fires in Northwest Vermont. We first told you about five fires that were set Friday - and now, one more structure burned to the ground.
The smell of smoke was still prevalent Monday afternoon, as embers continued to burn from Friday's fires.
"First reaction was Oh My God," Richard Ouelledte said, who lives close by.
The Enosburgh fire chief says a sixth fire was set Sunday, meaning another unoccupied structure burned to the ground.
"It's real close to home, so it does make it scary," Ouelledte said.
The Vermont State Police are looking at whether the owners know each other, they're following leads, and have used a dog capable of sniffing out accelerants.
"We found three other places in that garage where they had started fires," Chief LaRose said.
As calls rang in Friday morning, the number of fires continued to rise. Three barns, two homes and one old schoolhouse are gone. Enosburgh, Fairfield and Birkshire were all hit. The chief thinks they're related.
The fact that there were multiple fires all at once automatically makes it suspicious. One of the homes that was lit on fire is just across the street from a barn that was also ignited and then about a quarter mile down the road is another piece of property that was completely engulfed in flames.
"The barn was completely engulfed to the point that you could see right through one end to another," Chief LaRose said.
Anyone with information about the serial arsonist is asked to call 1-800-32-ARSON. There's a $5,000 reward.
"I hope they catch whoever did it," the Chief said.
So far the fires have caused more than $200,000 in damage.
