Electrical wiring blamed in Fort Bragg fire
A Fort Bragg man was burned out of his home near downtown on Wednesday evening, apparently after some aging electrical wire caught fire in the walls of his house.
Flames heavily damaged the East Pine Street house, sweeping through the attic and burning its contents, Fort Bragg Fire Chief Steve Orsi said.
But the house could be made habitable within a relatively short period of time, Orsi said.
“The house is still standing, but there’s a lot of damage,” he said.
The fire was reported at 6:09 p.m. but already had been building in the walls and attic, so “it was going pretty good” by the time fire crews arrived, Orsi said.
The homeowner’s son later told fire officials he’d earlier used a papershredder and noticed some intermittent electrical problems and an odd smell.
Investigators narrowed the origin of the fire to the living room area and believe it was sparked by wiring, Orsi said.
He noted the homeowner, whose name was not available, had done some extensive remodeling in the house and exterior.
“It’s a shame,” Orsi said.
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