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New Square house fire ruled accidental

A house fire in New Square that left a family of seven homeless last night has been ruled accidental. Investigators have determined that the fire started underneath a deck at the home on Truman Avenue,

News 12 Staff

May 22, 2014, 7:26 PM

Updated 3,915 days ago

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A house fire in New Square that left a family of seven homeless last night has been ruled accidental.
Investigators have determined that the fire started underneath a deck at the home on Truman Avenue, but haven't said exactly what ignited the flames.
Nearly 100 firefighters battled the fire for more than an hour. A child outside the home reported the fire to the people inside, all of whom got out safely.
Assistant Hillcrest Fire Chief Lloyd Hovelmann says that New Square Emergency Services was called before anyone called 911, which likely delayed the firefighters' response.
"Even though there might have been a delay, the destruction probably would have happened anyway," says New Square Fire Inspector Manny Carmona.
Investigators say there was an air conditioning unit near where the fire originated, and a pile of straw was found nearby.
The seven people who lost their home are now staying with relatives.
For footage and interviews from the site of the fire that ravaged a New Square home, go to your digital cable box and select iO Extra on Ch. 612.