A deputy fire chief at the Gilead Volunteer Fire Department was arrested last Friday after he allegedly set his own home ablaze in Gorham, New Hampshire last month, killing his two pet turtles.
The Gorham Police Department announced the arrest on Monday, which came after an investigation from the New Hampshire Fire Marshal’s office determined that a fire at a Second Street residence in Gorham was caused by arson.
Law enforcement believe that Travis Davis, the owner of the residence, intentionally set a fire that engulfed the interior of his home, and charged him with class A felony arson.
The fire, which took place on July 29, did not harm anyone, but it did kill two pet turtles that were inside at the time. Firefighters from Gorham, Berlin, Shelburne, and Randolf, NH eventually extinguished the blaze.
The Gorham Police Department left significant information out of their press release, however, and failed to mention that Davis was himself a firefighter.
Davis served as a captain at the Shelburne Fire Department, and a Deputy Fire Chief at the Gilead, Maine Volunteer Fire Department.
Gilead Fire Chief Randall Grondin told WGME that Davis has been placed on leave following his arrest, and that he has volunteered in the department for two years.
Police did not give any indication of the motive behind Davis’ alleged arson.
