COAL TOWNSHIP - A state police fire marshal could not determine the cause of a fire last week that severely damaged a West Arch Street home.
"I don't see anything that was suspicious in any way, shape or form," said Trooper Kirk Renn, state police at Milton.
However, he said he couldn't find anything during his investigation Tuesday that proved conclusively as to what caused the fire to ignite at 9:20 a.m. Friday, May 3, inside the rear one-story addition at 1019 W. Arch St., home to Walter and Helen Neiswender.
When investigating fires in general, Renn said he looks for electrical causes, heat sources, malfunctions and criminal activity.
Renn estimated damages at $100,000 to the home and $50,000 to personal contents, but noted those estimates are his alone. Ultimately, he said, such estimates are decided by the homeowner's insurer.
The fire marshal couldn't say if the home is a total loss, but noted that it sustained heavy smoke damage throughout the property.