Police: 2 people found dead in Bethel house fire

BETHEL, Vt. (WCAX) - Police are investigating the deaths of two people whose bodies were discovered during a fire in their Bethel home Tuesday.

Vermont State Police say crews were called to the home on Christian Hill Road and found the two-story house fully engulfed in flames.

“You know the telltale sign is there is a vehicle in the garage, and that is never a good sign,” said Bethel Fire Chief David Aldrighetti, the first to arrive on the scene after the fire was toned out a little before 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. Multiple departments responded, but Aldrighetti says getting inside initially was not possible. “Typical old building with many additions off the back, including the large wood shed full of wood, so that was all fully engulfed.”

Water was not an issue on the dirt road since a pond was located next to the home. Crews continued to douse the home with water hours after the flames were knocked down. “There was a gentleman here to do farm chores in the morning. He comes this way and he called it in. And he was still waiting here on the scene when I arrived,” Aldrighetti said.

The names of the two victims -- a man and a woman in their 70s -- have not been officially released, although we are told they are well-known members of the community.

“I already gave the standard lecture making sure -- especially the young guys -- you got to talk about it. You can’t bottle it up.,” Aldrighetti said.

State Police are leading the investigation into the cause of the fire. At this time they say it does not appear suspicious.

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