On Friday, Oct. 22 at 4:30 pm, the Marlboro Fire Department received a report of a structure fire located at 5383 VT Route 9 in Marlboro. Upon arrival they saw smoke emerging from a single room of a multi-room motel. The motel was known as the Golden Eagle Motel that had been abandoned for several years. Fire suppression efforts were conducted which saved the structure. The motel was unoccupied, and no injuries were reported.

As part of Marlboro Fire Chief Rusty Sage’s assessment of the fire, he contacted the Department of Public Safety Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit (FEIU) for assistance in determining the origin and cause of the fire.

FEIU members responded to Marlboro and conducted a scene examination. The cause of the fire is under investigation but is believed to be the result of direct human involvement. The room sustained moderate damage from fire, heat, smoke and water.

The fire is at least the fourth to occur this month in rural towns in Windham County. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Clark Lombardi at the Westminster Barracks at 802-722-4600.

People with information may also contact the Vermont Arson Tip Award Program at 800-32-ARSON. The Arson Tip Award Program is a separate entity from the state police, and through funding from insurance companies offers a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest in this case.