Vermont Investigators Say Fire at Historic Store Was Arson

Vermont fire investigators say the fire that destroyed the Putney General Store last week was arson.

A $15,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for setting the Nov. 1 fire.

Windham County State’s Attorney Tracy Shriver wouldn’t say Tuesday what led investigators to label the fire arson, except to say that accelerants were used and that it was obviously set. Investigators are appealing to the public for help identifying those responsible.

The Putney General Store, which was built in the late 1700s, was in the process of rising from the ashes of a May 2008 fire and had been purchased by the Putney Historical Society. It was expected to reopen next spring until the Nov. 1 fire destroyed the building.