West Oak blaze ruled accidental, electrical in nature

KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Flames engulf the first floor of 332 West Oak Street on Jan. 2, 2020.

SHENANDOAH – Last night’s fire which destroyed a row home and damaged another on West Oak Street was ruled accidental, fire officials told the Sentinel today.

Shenandoah Fire Marshal Rick Examitas returned to the scene this morning to continue investigating the cause of last night’s fire at 332 West Oak Street.

The fire broke out around 6:00pm, as smoke billowed from the rear of the home and from a dryer vent, creating a smoke condition in the neighborhood.

All six occupants, plus the family pet, weren’t home at the time and no one was injured in the firefight.

Examitas said the fire began in the basement of 332 West Oak, and the cause was electrical in nautre.

All six residents at 332 are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

330 West Oak was a vacant home, and was damaged as crews had to use that building to access the fire building as a result of a collapsing floor in 332.

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