MUHLENBERG TWP, Pa. – The June 11 Oak Forest Apartment fire that displaced over thirty residents has been classified as accidental by state police, citing the cause as an electrical event.
The fire occurred just before 9 p.m. on June 11, damaging two apartment buildings, affecting twenty units, and displacing more than thirty people.
According to police, after a lengthy and in-depth scene examination and investigation, the cause and origin of the fire was determined to be an electrical malfunction.
Due to the vast amount of damage and collapse of the roof, a more specific event or cause could not be definitively determined, says police.
According to evidence and interview statements, the fire originated within the void space just above the ceiling of the 2nd-floor apartment.
The Pa. state police shared the only ignition source present above the ceiling was electrical wiring and associated components.
Officials shared that although lightning from a storm was in the area before the discovery of the fire, no lightning strike occurred at or near the structure.
Based upon the totality of the circumstances, all data gathered to date, this fire is being classified as accidental, according to police.
The apartments are located at 2271 Hampden Blvd, Muhlenberg Township, Berks County.