Jericho structure fire closes Route 15

JERICHO, Vt. (WCAX) - A structure fire in Jericho shut down Vermont Route 15 Thursday evening.

At about 6:30 p.m., firefighters were called to a blaze at a home on Route 15. When crews arrived, they found fire coming from an enclosed porch at the rear of the home. They were able to contain the fire to the downstairs apartment. An upstairs apartment had minor smoke and water damage.

One firefighter was injured while battling the flames and was treated by EMS at the scene.

Vermont state police say the Department of Public Safety Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit determined the blaze was caused by smoking materials igniting nearby combustable materials. The fire is considered accidental.

Damages are estimated at more than $75,000. All four tenants of the house were displaced.

A hydrant had to be used, which is what closed the road to traffic.