January 23rd, 2019 by WCBC Radio
Deputy State Fire Marshals have concluded an origin and cause investigation of a late morning apartment fire that occurred at 93 E. Main Street in Frostburg. The property is owned by Absaloms Emporium LLC.
The fire was dispatched at approximately 11:39 a.m. when the occupant discovered the fire in the basement apartment. Firefighters from surrounding counties, West Virginia and Pennsylvania assisted Frostburg Fire Department with the three alarm fire. Due to the type of balloon building construction, there were many openings in the walls that allowed the fire to spread very quickly from floor to floor. Therefore, it took approximately 65 fire personnel approximately three hours to control the fire. One firefighter was transported with non-life threatening injuries due to a fall on the ice. Once the fire was extinguished, the Deputies were able to conduct their investigation. No smoke alarms were operating at the time of the fire. The origin of the fire was determined to be in the basement of the apartment building. The cause of the fire is accidental due to an electrical malfunction of wiring in the building. Total damages are estimated at approximately $500,000.
Two additional structures were damaged as a result of the fire. Occupants are being assisted by friends and family.
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