A fire virtually across the street from the Montpelier Fire Department severely damaged a Main Street restaurant and bar Saturday night. 

At 11:10 pm October 28, the fire at 70 Main Street was reported, authorities say. The on-duty crew was on scene in under a minute and encountered heavy fire coming from the front of The Mad Taco restaurant, which reportedly had re-opened a week ago after the July flooding. 

The officer in charge requested a 2nd alarm assignment and an initial fire attack was initiated. Significant fire and water damage has impacted The Mad Taco, as well as the rear of Charlie O’s. Five tenants from the neighboring building were temporarily displaced. 

There were no reported injuries. The fire was declared under control around 1 pm, and crews cleared the scene at 4 AM. There was a fire watch staged on the scene throughout the morning hours. Investigators from the State of Vermont Division of Fire Safety are investigating the cause.

Ontario woman dead in motorcycle crash – Annette Cleroux of Ontario died October 26 at about 10 AM after the motorcycle on which she was a passenger was in a collision with a car on Cemetery Road in Worcester. 

The passenger, Jules Delorme, also of Ontario, suffered life-threatening injuries. Police say a Subaru driven by David Garneau, 43, of Worcester was the other vehicle in the collision. Police say Garneau appeared to be impaired. He was cited to appear on charges of negligent operation and DUI-drug.