The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s office has completed the investigation into this morning’s fire in Newark that heavily damaged a home, according to Assistant State Fire Marshal Michael Chionchio.
Chionchio said the fire was determined to be accidental in nature. The Christiana Fire Company responded to the 100 block of Rustic Drive in the Hillside Heights neighborhood shortly after 7:30 am. Firefighters encountered an active, uncontained fire inside the attached garage. Mutual aid fire companies from nearby stations assisted with fire suppression operations at the scene.
Smoke alarms activated alerting the occupants of the home to the fire. During the incident, crews were alerted that a dog was still inside the home. The dog was located during a search, however, it did not survive the fire according to Chionchio.
State fire marshal deputies were called to the scene to investigate the circumstances of the fire. The fire originated inside the garage which is attached to the main house. Burning incense caught nearby combustibles on fire. Damage was estimated at $100,000. There were no other reported injuries.