Lyman Meadows Fire Victim Identified
Medical examiner says the woman died of natural causes; state investigators still trying to determine how fire got started
Hinesburg Record Staff
Vermont State Police continue to investigate the death of a Hinesburg woman whose body was found in her burning Lyman Meadows townhouse Sunday night, April 12.
(UPDATED Tuesday evening:) The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington informed state police that his office had completed the autopsy on the woman found deceased following the fire and identified her as Brenda Garey, 65. The medical examiner determined that Garey died of natural causes before the fire got started.
The investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is ongoing, but police do not believe it to be suspicious.
Emergency crews responded at about 6 p.m. after a neighbor reported smoke coming from one of the units in the townhouse complex at 245 Lyman Meadow. According to the Hinesburg Fire Department, firefighters forced entry into the home due to reports of a person inside. They encountered moderate smoke conditions which significantly reduced visibility. During the search, crews located the fire and were able to knock down a significant portion using a pressurized water fire extinguisher.
Firefighters then located Garey’s body inside the residence and notified the Department of Public Safety Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit. After confirming the fire had been extinguished and had spread no further, the scene was turned over to Vermont State Police.
Responding agencies included Hinesburg Fire and Rescue, Charlotte Fire and Rescue, Shelburne Fire and Rescue, Williston Fire and Rescue, and fire departments from Huntington, Monkton and Starksboro.
