A house fire reported shortly after 5:30 pm this afternoon near Odessa, Delaware has been declared an accident after an investigation by fire marshals from the Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal, according to Assistant State Fire Marshal Michael Chionchio.
Chionchio said firefighters from the Odessa Fire Company arrived in the unit block of Canary Court – Augustine Creek and observed flames engulfing the exterior siding of the home. The fire was contained and extinguished without any injuries.
Deputy fire marshals responded to the scene to investigate and found that the fire originated within the structural wood framing surrounding the fireplace and chimney. Embers from the operating fireplace escaped through the chimney igniting the wood framing inside the walls.
Fire damage was estimated at $10,000. There were no reported injuries.