TIGNISH, P.E.I. — The provincial fire marshal’s office has ruled a house fire in Tignish on Monday accidental in nature.
The investigator traced the fire’s origin to an electrical fault in the home’s basement.
The fire, reported around 2 p.m. on Nov.18, caused extensive fire and smoke damage throughout the two-story home.
The home’s owners, Stewart and Beverly Getson, their daughter, Isabelle, and Beverly’s mother, Mary Ford, have obtained temporary lodging in Anglo.
Four pet cats and a dog were rescued but two other pet cats perished.
Stewart Getson said he accepts the fire investigator’s determination on the cause of the fire.
The family is now awaiting a decision of contractors and insurance officials on whether their home can be repaired or will need to be replaced.
He said he was told it might be two weeks before they know for sure.
The fire, which started in the basement, burned through floor joists and caused some of the kitchen floor to collapse into the basement.
