The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s office has determined that this afternoon’s fire that heavily damaged a New Castle, Delaware apartment building was accidental, according to Assistant State Fire Marshal Michael Chionchio.
Chionchio said the blaze, reported shortly before 2:00 pm, occurred at the New Castle Crossing Apartments in the 1600 block of New Jersey Avenue in Wilmington Manor. The Wilmington Manor Fire Company arrived on the scene with a large volume of fire inside the building’s attic. Flames pushed through the roof. Two juveniles were examined for injuries at the scene, however, they did not require transportation to a medical facility.
Initial reports from the scene indicate that at least one of the children was rescue by good samaritans prior to the firefighter’s arrival.
Chionchio said deputy fire marshals located the origin and determined the cause of the fire. The fire was sparked by an electrical malfunction inside the attic of the two-story, six-unit apartment building. Twelve residents have been displaced.
Heavy fire damage was estimated at $200,000. The building’s fire alarm system activated alerting the occupants to the presence of the fire. The American Red Cross is assisting those displaced by the fire.