Newport Fire Destroys Log Cabin, Kills 2 Dogs

A sad story out of Newport as a fire Thursday afternoon destroyed a man’s log cabin and claimed the lives of two dogs. Firefighters responded to the scene on Coon Brook Road shortly after 1:30 Thursday afternoon to find the home fully engulfed in flames.

Crews from nearby Goshen, Sunapee, Croydon, Grantham, Claremont, New London, and Lempster assisted Newport on the scene, and had declared the fire under control in a little more than an hour.

Officials say two dogs were believed to have perished in the fire, though no other injuries were reported.

The log home was handcrafted by its owner, Ernest Shepard III, and was last assessed at a value of $128,000 according to town records. Authorities say they believe a wood stove is to blame for igniting the fire, though an investigation into the blaze remains ongoing. It was not initially known whether or not the home was insured.

A GoFundMe page has been started to help the family get back on its feet here.