'Suspicious' fire destroys abandoned Vermont racetrack
The former Green Mountain Racetrack is a 'total loss'
The former Green Mountain Racetrack is a 'total loss'
The former Green Mountain Racetrack is a 'total loss'
A fire that burned overnight at an abandoned Vermont racetrack is being considered suspicious, according to investigators.
State police report that a 911 call was placed at approximately 10:45 p.m. Wednesday reporting the blaze at the former Green Mountain Racetrack in Pownal. No injuries have been reported and the structure has been deemed a total loss.
"The fire progression was extensive and it was decided by the fire chief to only fight the fire from the exterior to prevent injury or possible death by any internal fire fighting efforts by fire personnel," said Steven Otis, a member of the VSP Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit.
Several other fires had been lit at the site this summer, according to state police. Investigators said in a report those fires, along with other acts of vandalism, were started by young adults visiting the grandstand structure.
The track has been closed since 1991.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Vermont Arson Tip Award Program hotline at 1-800-322-7766 or Vermont State Police at 802-722-4600.