East Randolph
Jason Gregoire, 30, allegedly set fire to the home he and his wife owned, according to the Vermont State Police.
Multiple departments responded to a fire at the home on Sept. 4.
The residence was determined to be a total loss. No one was home at the time of the fire, and nobody was injured. No one else’s property was damaged.
According to a news release from the state police, the fire was not suspicious, but the significance of the damage led to a request for an investigation. The town’s fire chief decided to contact police for an investigation in order to avoid “any appearance of favoritism,” the release said.
Investigators, working on the scene with an excavator, determined the fire started in the home’s living room, near a center support wall. They also interviewed the homeowners about the fire.
Gregoire told police he set the fire, according to the release. He and his wife wanted to move to New York because they believed they could get better services for their son, who has autism, police said.
“The Gregoires advised they were frustrated with the school system and what they felt was a lack of services and felt they were left with no other alternatives but to destroy the house and move away,” Vermont State Police said.
The couple did not file a claim with their insurance company about the fire, according to the release.
Police cited Jason Gregoire on a charge of reckless endangerment on Oct. 20. The police report said that because of his background as a volunteer firefighter, he was aware of the risks. Police say he “recklessly” endangered his fellow firefighters by starting the blaze.
Orange County State’s Attorney Will Porter said on Monday he has made a charging decision in the case, which was filed with the court on Monday.
A judge has not yet determined whether there is probable cause, and Porter said he cannot comment until that determination is made. If the judge finds probable cause, Gregoire could be arraigned later this week. Attempts to reach Gregoire for comment were unsuccessful.