Cause of Fire That Destroyed Washington Twp. Home Still Unknown

Investigators are still uncertain what started a blaze that turned a home into a facade and ashes Saturday, according to Washington Township police.

An afternoon fire tore through 7 Shenandoah Court on Saturday, Dec. 14, tearing through the upper level of the home and requiring nearly 100 firefighters to battle the flames for two and-a-half hours. 

Due to the immense damage to the structure, an investigation by officers into the fire's cause is more difficult, Lt. Doug Compton said, and will take time and collaboration with insurance companies.

"At this time there's no reason to believe it was suspicious," Compton said. "There's no criminality to it."

The investigation is being led by Det. Sgt. Chris Bratus.

The homeowners of the 4,100-square-foot house, Sharon Kelly and Robert Williams, called the home they built from scratch a "safe haven." The couple is displaced, but have plans to rebuild on the same 4.49 acre plot of land in the future.

After the fire, residents searched high and low for ways to help the family during its time of need. In a turn of holiday spirit, Kelly and Williams asked that any and all donations intended for them be made to local fire and first aid squads as well as homeless shelters and organizations that help victims of domestic violence. 

“Helping others is part of our beliefs,” Kelly told Patch earlier in the week. “We have friends, family, resources and jobs. While this isn’t a tragedy, it’s more like a pretty big inconvenience.”