The fire chief is saying that an Election Day blaze at a North Park Street residence seems to be an accident.
He added, however, a final determination has not been made and the cause is still under investigation.
The fire broke on Tuesday at about 3:30 p.m. at 18 North Park St., a wood-frame structure in an older, hilly neighborhood that can make responses tricky. With flames shooting out an upper-floor window, firefighters were able to contain and knock down the flames within about 25 minutes, but were on the scene for about three hours.
"It was tenuous for a while," Fire Chief William Call said on Wednesday. "But firefighters were able to knock out a ceiling, get into the attic and get at the fire."
Call said the house is not totaled and the residents will not be displaced permanently.
Two cats were saved and no firefighters were injured, he said.
The fire originated in the attic, is "possibly accidental," but the cause is still being investigated, Call said.
Firefighters were able to prevent any damage to the abutting homes.
By the time the scene was secured and the equipment put away, some firefighters and EMS staffers had to scramble to their respective polling places to vote.
