Cause of blaze in Rutland still under investigation

RUTLAND CENTER — Jefferson County fire investigators still are searching for the cause of a fire that leveled a garage and caused severe damage to the end of a house Wednesday night at 26787 Route 126.

Rutland Fire Chief Charles M. Waugh said that a man was in the home at the time of the fire and that he was taken to Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown, for treatment of minor injuries.

Property records indicate the modular home is owned by John E. and Dawn M. Scott.

When emergency crews arrived, the fire was "fully involved" in a garage and spreading to the neighboring home. While the garage was a total loss, the home received some heat, water and smoke damage in the kitchen and living room, Mr. Waugh said.

A message left with County Fire Investigator David A. Jones, the lead investigator on the case, was not returned.

The homeowner reported that a "pretty aggressive electrical storm was in the area and he heard a loud bang" prior to the fire being reported, Mr. Waugh said.

It was unclear if the structures were insured.