The second of two fires at the same house within several hours last week was started by rekindled embers, fire officials said Thursday.
Hudson Fire Chief Bob Carter said area firefighters responded to the first fire in the attic of the home in the 2100 block of Middleton Road at 5:47 p.m. on May 11. The last firefighting unit left the scene at 9:06 p.m., Carter said.
The next morning, at 4:53, Carter said a neighbor reported seeing flames coming from the same house, and area firefighters responded again.
Carter said investigators from his department and an insurance company determined the second fire most likely began when embers rekindled in the attic insulation. He said there was no suspicion of criminal wrongdoing.
After the last unit left the first fire, Carter said the home was checked several times later that night and firefighters did not think it would start up again.
''It appears that we were incorrect,'' the chief said.
He said damage to the home was estimated at $175,000 to the structure and $100,000 to its contents.
Distributed by the Associated Press
