Windsor firefighter Nico Senerchia dumps charred wood pellets outside a Hartland, Vt., home where fire from a newly installed pellet stove backed up into the heating system's hopper on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. Because the home is attached to a second residence and a former dairy barn, firefighters from Hartland, Windsor, Hartford, Ascutney, West Windsor and Woodstock were called to the scene and all but Hartland and Windsor were released when the fire was extinguished before igniting the structure. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Valley News — James M. Patterson