Maine Firefighter Charged with Arson in New Hampshire House Fire

Police in Gorham, New Hampshire, say crews were called to a home on Second Street on the afternoon of July 29 for a reported fire. According to WGME 13, when firefighters got there, they were able to get the flames under control, and thankfully, no people were hurt. Sadly, two pet turtles that lived in the home didn’t survive.

Fast forward a little over a week, on August 8, and investigators arrested 34-year-old Travis Davis. He’s now facing an arson charge, accused of setting fire to his own house, the news station reported.

Here’s where the story takes another turn: Davis isn’t just a regular citizen. He’s the deputy chief with the Gilead Volunteer Fire Department in Maine and also a firefighter with the Shelburne Fire Department in New Hampshire, WGME explained.

According to Gilead Fire Chief Randall Grondin, Davis has been placed on administrative leave from his position in Gilead, where he’s served for about two years. The Shelburne department hasn’t commented publicly yet.

Police haven’t released a possible motive, and it’s unclear what led investigators to believe the fire was intentionally set. The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office is involved in the case.

Davis is expected to appear in court in the coming weeks. Until then, the case remains an odd and sad one, especially for the small towns and fire departments now caught up in the headlines.