Deputy Fire Chief Travis Davis has been placed on unpaid administrative leave following his arrest on an arson charge involving a fire at his home in Gorham, New Hampshire, Gilead Fire Chief Randall Grondin confirmed Thursday.
Grondin said he recruited Davis two years ago to come to the fire department in Gilead, a small town in western Oxford County near the border with New Hampshire.
Davis is also a firefighter in Shelburne, New Hampshire.
According to police, firefighters responded July 29 to a blaze at a home at 22 Second St. in Gorham, New Hampshire. The residence, which was listed for sale, was found engulfed in flames. Mutual aid was requested from the Berlin, Shelburne and Randolph fire departments.
Two pet turtles died in the fire; no other injuries were reported.
Investigators from the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office were called by the Gorham Police Department to determine the cause of the fire.
Davis was arrested Aug. 8.
Gorham police Chief Jimmy Willhoite said the investigation remains open and active. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Gorham Police Department at 603-466-2334 or the State Fire Marshal’s Office at 603-223-4289.
