SHOREHAM — An 85-year-old man was found dead inside a Shoreham home that burned yesterday morning, according to Vermont State Police.
On July 20, at approximately 8 a.m. a passing motorist heard a loud explosion and saw a fire at 138 Elmendorf Road in Shoreham. The Shoreham Fire Department and several surrounding fire departments responded to the house fire. While extinguishing the blaze a body was found inside the house and the Vermont State Police were contacted to respond to the scene.
Detectives from the Rutland State Police Barracks, members of the Addison County Fire Investigation Unit, and fire investigators from the DPS Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit all responded to the scene.  
The ranch style house had significant damage to it, but the main area of origin was determined to be in the back of the structure.
A single body, believed to be the sole occupant and owner of the home, was recovered from the fire debris by State Police Detectives and the Assistant Medical Examiner. An autopsy will be performed by the State Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the manner and cause of death.  Although the body has not been officially identified, based on interviews with the immediate family members it is believed to be the owner of the home, 85-year-old male Howard Jerome Sr.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and anyone having any information regarding this incident is asked to please contact Det. Sgt. Todd Ambroz of the Vermont State Police at the Williston Barracks at 802-878-7111, or by email at [email protected].