June 17, 2026

Royalton Barracks / Fatal fire investigation

 

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

 

CASE#: 26B2003004

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Detective Trooper Mengbei Wang

STATION: VSP Royalton

CONTACT#: 802-234-9933

 

DATE/TIME: 3:15 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2026

INCIDENT LOCATION: 5 North Common, Chelsea, VT

INCIDENT: Fatal fire investigation

 

 

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

The Vermont State Police is investigating the deaths of two people whose bodies were found following a fire early Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at a house in Chelsea.

 

The fire was reported at about 3:15 a.m. at a single-family residence at 5 North Common. Members of multiple fire departments including Chelsea and Tunbridge responded and extinguished the blaze after approximately 3.5 hours. The building is a total loss.

 

During a subsequent search of the structure, investigators located the remains of two people. Their bodies will be brought to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for autopsies to confirm their identities and determine the cause and manner of their deaths.

 

The deaths are being investigated by the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations – Troop B East. The origin and cause of the fire is under investigation by the Department of Public Safety Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit.

 

Anyone with information that might aid investigators is asked to call VSP’s Royalton Barracks at 802-234-9933 or provide an anonymous tip online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.

 

No additional details are available at this time. The state police will share updates as the case proceeds.

 

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