It appears that the failure of a heat-resisting component of a motor pump cord caused the fire that destroyed a house at 12852 Fairfield Drive in rural Aberdeen on Aug. 5.
That was the word on Thursday from Mike Thompson, Aberdeen fire marshal. The pump circulated water in a swimming pool, and the pump's cord was plugged into the side of the house.
The fire apparently started at that plug-in on the home's exterior and spread to the interior, Thompson said.
That's as far as the investigation will go, unless an insurance company takes it further, he said.
The fire extensively damaged the split-level home and attached garage that were the residence of Brian and Michelle Bellikka. The Aberdeen Rural Fire Department, which fought the fire, called the home a total loss.
A family member said the loss was insured, and that no fundraisers are planned to assist the victims.
The fire did not result in any injuries.
Distributed by the Associated Press
