LP House Fire Ruled Accidental

LAKE PLACID - The American Red Cross has set up a family of three for three nights at the Kenilworth Lodge after an electrical fire Monday night left them without a home.

Glenn Fowler, service delivery specialist with the American Red Cross, was on scene about two hours after the fire was called in at 8:40 p.m. Monday to the Placid Lakes Volunteer Fire Department.

"The family left to go out to see Christmas lights," Fowler said. "They saw smoke when they got into the yard. He opened the door and black smoke billowed out. He ran to the neighbors and called."
By the time the fire department arrived the house was in flames.

Owners Daniel Gutierrez, 28, and Alexis Gutierrez, 36, and a juvenile female Uwineza Nairobi Coss, were given comfort kits including basic personal needs, such as tooth brushes and toothpaste.
The girl was given a teddy bear, Fowler said.

The family also received a debit card for food and clothing as well as referrals to other agencies, he said.

"The shell of the house was there but the contents were gone," Fowler added. "They have insurance and both are employed. At least one pet was OK. But I heard everything was gone."

An inspector with the state fire marshal's office arrived at 10:53 p.m. and completed his investigation at 1:22 a.m., said Kevin Shireman, public information officer with the state Fire Marshal.

He ruled the fire was electrical in nature and was accidental, having started in the living room wall.
Shireman said the house was valued at about $170,000 and sustained about $60,000 in damage.

The single-family home, built in 1985, contained a lot of yellow pine inside and there was varnish on the walls, which fed the fire. It spread from the attic into the roof.

No one could be reached from the Placid Lakes Volunteer Fire Department for comment by press time.