Updated: 'Electrical incident' cited as city fire cause
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Cassandra Hotaling / Rutland Herald |
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By Josh O'Gorman Herald Staff - Published: January 6, 2009
Fire investigators say an "electrical incident" likely sparked a blaze that destroyed a Rutland apartment house, leaving four families homeless and causing more than $400,000 in damage.
Sgt. Thomas Williams, a Vermont State Police fire investigator, in a statement issued late Monday night, said officials were not able to pinpoint the exact cause of the blaze that happened Saturday afternoon at 44 Forest St. they have ruled out foul play.
"The fire is classified as undetermined at this time with a likely cause being an electrical incident withing the ceiling/floor void or pyrolysis of combustible materials within this area due to heating devices in the same void space," the statement read. "No suspicious circumstances were found at this time."
Investigators with Rutland City Fire, State Police and Division of Fire Safety probed the burned-out building Monday to try and learn what caused the blaze.
"Officially, the origin and cause is undetermined," said Rutland City Fire Chief Robert Schlachter.
Schlachter said the two-story building had been renovated many times and there was a large void between the first and second floors. In addition, a drop ceiling beneath a metal ceiling and layers of roofing caused the fire to spread quickly.
"Basically, we're looking at this at this point as being related to the building and not any other cause at this point," Schlachter said. "If the insurance company wants to investigate further, that's up to them."
The building's owner, Alphonse Coccia of Rutland, could not be reached for comment Monday. According to the Rutland City Assessor's Office, the building was last assessed April 2006 at $137,300, and is listed at that value on the 2008-09 grand list.
Volunteers from the Central Vermont/New Hampshire Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross helped residents displaced by the fire find temporary accommodations — none of whom were hurt — and will continue to aid those who need help find new apartments, said Red Cross Emergency Services Director George Sykes.
Saturday's fire was the 10th fire the local Red Cross chapter has responded to in the past five weeks. In addition to fires in New Hampshire, they have also assisted residents displaced by fires in Brandon, Braintree, Montpelier and two other fires in Rutland.
Contributions can be sent to Central Vermont/New Hampshire Valley Red Cross, PO Box 514, Hartford, VT 05047.
Contact Josh O'Gorman at josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com.