ORANGE — An air conditioner likely caused the fire that rendered uninhabitable a home at 49 Meadow Lane Thursday afternoon, according to the state fire marshal’s office.
The call came in at 3:02 p.m., and Orange, Athol, New Salem, Phillipston and Erving fire departments responded to the residential property to find the upper area of the building in flames.
No one was injured in the fire, and the residents were out of the house by the time firefighters arrived, Orange Fire Chief James Young said.
While the cause of the fire is still officially under investigation, Jennifer Mieth, a spokeswoman for the state fire marshal, said an air conditioner could be examined to determine if it caused the blaze.
“The fire originated above the ceiling in a void space and in an area where there was an air conditioner unit, which has fallen,” Mieth said.
“In order to examine the air conditioner unit, heavy equipment needs to be brought in and were still waiting to hear whether or not the insurance company will do that,” Mieth said. “There is nothing to suggest this was intentional, and all signs point to the air conditioner.”
Young said he and the town’s building inspector determined the home was not inhabitable and was a total loss due to fire and water damage.
Young said his department and the ones from Athol, New Salem, Phillipston and Erving responded to the scene. He said Wood’s Ambulance responded as well.
The Warwick Fire Department covered the Orange station, Young said.
The Orange Police Department directed traffic outside of Meadow Lane on South Main Street.