Rebuilding Vermont Timber Works
On the evening of September 21, 2019, a fire broke out at Vermont Timber Works. While fire crews responded quickly, the building was determined to be unsalvageable. After the fire, it was determined to have started accidentally in a dumpster near the building that contained sawdust, and that coupled with the warm and humid weather caused the contents of the dumpster to combust and then the fire jumped from the dumpster to the building.
After the fire, Vermont Timber Works was happy to receive the support and well wishes of our local community.
After surveying the extensive damage, and weighing our options, we decided to rebuild. We quickly relocated to a temporary workspace and began to plan how we were going to rebuild Vermont Timber Works.
After the fire was put out and the site was declared safe for work to begin, what was left of the building was demolished, and the remnants were taken away.
Then the water pipes for the new sprinkler system were laid, as well as the underground wires for electricity.
The building was prefabricated by LaValley Building Supply.
Official construction began in February of 2020.
The pandemic slowed us down, but luckily we were able to keep working safely and get back to building.
The building was complete in September 2020, almost a year to the date of the fire.
It’s been a different and difficult year at Vermont Timber Works, but we’re happy to say that we made it through and that it was all worth it.
VTW Sign
The original Vermont Timber Works sign survived the fire and still stands proudly outside our new building today.
VTW Ready To Move In
Our new building is very similair to our original building, however our new building features a more efficient design and layout as well as more storage and workspace.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
To mark the occasion of moving into our new building, VTW held a small ribbon-cutting ceremony with only our staff and a local news crew. We hope to have a larger celebration with the community once the pandemic allows us to gather again.
VTW Sales Office
The sales office at VTW is new and improved with a much nicer layout, beautiful wood beams, and pleasant lighting. The office is also larger allowing for the sales staff to sit farther away from each other to maintain safety during the pandemic.
VTW Engineering Office
The engineering office features more desk space, more windows, and glass-paned doors, which helps foster collaboration while also staying apart during the pandemic.
Break Room
The new breakroom is much larger and features a kitchen most of us wish we had at home. It is also larger to accommodate more room between chairs so everyone can sit 6 ft apart.
Workshop
Our workshop has also expanded in size and will hopefully be even easier to work in now with large timbers and trusses.
VTW Almost Completed
Even before the siding was put on, the timber framed entry way made our new building look impressive.
VTW Walls Up
Walls going up during winter construction.
VTW Crew
Beams being added during winter construction.
Getting Ready to Lift the Trusses
Vermont Timber Works under construction.
Lifting the Trusses
The roof system being lifted by crane during the rebuild of Vermont Timber Works.
Vermont Timber Works would like to thank everyone who helped us after the fire. This includes members of our community, local businesses, the local government.
