TREVORTON - An electrical outlet is being blamed for starting a fire that gutted two homes here Sunday evening.
State Police Fire Marshal Norman Fedder ruled the blaze that started at 220 S. 10th St. and also heavily damaged 222 S. 10th as accidental after his investigation Tuesday.
Trevorton Fire Chief Ed Reed said the outlet included an adapter that turns two outlets into six.
Emergency crews were called to the scene at 5:47 p.m. after flames were spotted at 220 S. 10th, owned by James L. Thorpe, 49, and Pamela K. Schieber, 49, who were not home at the time.
In addition to the owners, a son, daughter and grandchild living in the home were displaced.
Damage to the home is estimated at $50,000, and Reed said the family is not insured.
At 222 S. 10th St., separated by only a few inches from the Thorpe home, there was also heavily damaged, but that building is vacant. It is owned by Malcolm Derk Jr., Sunbury,
A nearby but unattached home at 204 S. 10th St., unoccupied and owned by Earl Rebuck, Trevorton, suffered heat damage to the siding.
Fire companies from 10 communities responded to the fire.