Fire heavily damages home in Laurel

Fire engineLAUREL, DELAWARE (6/19/2015) A fire that heavily damaged a three-story home in Laurel was caused by an electrical malfunction in an interior wall, authorities said this morning.

The blaze broke out just before 11 p.m. Thursday in the 400 block of E. Sixth St., said Harry R. Miller, chief deputy state fire marshal.

The home, which was converted into two apartments, was occupied at the time but there were no injuries, Miller said. The building was equipped with smoke detectors.

He said smoke was showing when Laurel firefighters arrived, and units from Blades, Seaford and Delmar assisted in extinguishing the fire.

The occupants are staying with family and being assisted by the American Red Cross, Miller said.

Damage was estimated at $100,000.