Easton Fire Chief: Bay Road Fire Accidental

Monday's Bay Road fire was ruled accidental, Easton Fire Chief Kevin Partridge said.

Partridge said the fire, which destroyed a garage at 331 Bay Road and caused extensive damage to the side of the house, was caused by a plastic pail in the garage that the homeowner, Robert Thornton had put ashes in from some brush he had burned earlier in the day.

"This is a common accident that occurs when people think the ashes from burning are cold because they have been out for a while, and actually they usually still contain enough heat in the center of the ashes that when placed in a container are further insulated and eventually ignite the container if it is combustible, as it was in this case," Partridge said in a statement Tuesday.

"It's an unfortunate accident, but in this case the owners still have a house standing and all their belongings inside due to the excellent job the firefighters did to fight and extinguish the fire" Chief Partridge said.

Thorton and his wife Althea did lose their entire garage and 1999 Toyota Avalon inside. Partridge estimated the fire to have caused $250-$300,000 worth of damage.

Thankfully, nobody was injured. Passers-by Mike Boyd and Robert Cummings entered the house to ensure Althea was escorted out safely.

Partridge said the fire was under control in approximately 20 minutes, and crews had the fire out in approximately 40 minutes.

The fire was investigated by  Partridge, and Captain Jeffrey Webster with assistance from Trooper Eric Desrochers of the State Fire Marshal's office.