Police Seek Information on I-91 Crash

Norwich — Anyone who witnessed a fiery crash on Interstate 91 northbound at 1:30 a.m. Monday morning or who saw a green Volkswagen Passat in the Lebanon or Hartford area around 1 a.m., is asked to call Vermont State Police.

Police are investigating the crash that took place near Mile Marker 80 in Norwich, according to a news release issued Monday night.

The driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle, causing the car to flip and burst into flames, the release states.

All of the occupants were able to exit the vehicle; they all suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The occupants included Michael Alger, 27, of North Haverhill, John Winot, 26, of Woodsville, and Jonathan Ruggles, 24, of North Haverhill.

Witnesses should call the Royalton barracks at 802-234-9933.

Home in Barnard Damaged in Fire

Barnard — A single-family home in Barnard Village was heavily damaged in a fire Tuesday afternoon, according to Fire Chief Scott Mills.

Firefighters responded to a report of a fire at the home on Route 12 around 1:30 p.m. and found the home “fully involved.”

“We saved the main structure, but it’s basically a total loss” from water and fire damage, Mills said.

Mills said the house was a second home, and that the property owners “were there this week working on it,” but were not present at the time of the fire.

Nobody was injured in the blaze, and the cause is under investigation, Mills said.

Town Starts Voluntary Water Restrictions

Newport — The town has issued a voluntary water restriction notice, asking residents to take steps to conserve water in light of a drought situation.

Newport’s primary water source is the 68-acre Gilman Pond and it is fed mostly from brooks and runoff, Water and Sewer Superintendent Dave Brennan said.

“(The water level) is going down quick enough to make me concerned,” Brennan said on Tuesday. “We hope voluntary restriction will work so we don’t have to go to mandatory.”

Some of the suggestions for reducing water use include reducing the frequency of watering of lawns, flowers and outdoor gardens, filling of pools, washing cars and taking shorter showers. The voluntary restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.

— Staff reports