On Tuesday, Aug. 31 at approximately, 2 a.m. a call was received by 911 reporting a structural fire at Rice Lumber Company in Shelburne. The Shelburne Police Department responded and found a building at the back of the property completely engulfed in flames. The Shelburne Fire Department arrived shortly after and began fighting the fire. The Shelburne Fire Department called in Charlotte, S. Burlington, and Burlington Fire Departments to assist. Shelburne Rescue and the Red Cross also responded.

Portions of the building were starting to collapse as the fire departments arrived and so they began suppression efforts. The fire departments contained the fire to the building of origin and were able to protect the surrounding buildings and supplies. The building itself, all the contents stored within the building, and a delivery box truck parked next to the building were completely destroyed. Contents of the building were mostly new windows and doors.

Owner of Rice Lumber, Jim Carroll, said that the "Shelburne Fire Department did a tremendous job."

Carroll is one of three owners of Rice Lumber. His two brothers, David and Jay are also owners. Carroll said that Rice Lumber has been in business since 1939, and has been in his family since 1985. In all the years that this business has been in Shelburne, there has never been a fire.

The Shelburne Fire Department contacted the Vermont State Police to conduct an Origin and Cause fire investigation. Fire Investigators from the Vermont State Police and Division of Fire and Safety responded to the scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation and because of the extent of the damage the exact cause may never be known. The fire is not considered suspicious.

No one was hurt and because the fire was contained to one building, the lumber company is able to stay open for business. The next step is to re-build, and Carroll said he plans on doing just that.