The investigation into the fires that destroyed six homes and displaced more than 25 people in Bristol Borough has yet to form a conclusion. officials said last week.
Three weeks into the investigation, no official reason or determination for the September 19 3- Alarm fire that brought more than 20 fire companies to the 600 block of Spruce Street in Bristol has been made.
Last Friday, in response to a follow up email Bucks County Fire Marshal Kevin Pugh said the investigation remains open.
“The Spruce Street fire is still an open investigation. That is all I can say on this matter,” he said.
In recent weeks, rumors and theories have been floated as to the cause of the fires that gutted almost one entire Bristol Borough block which has led to an array of ideas for the fires eruption and spread. Among the majority of the first responder community, the apparent agreed upon theory is a ” faulty ion battery” theory is the reason for the fire’s cause.
As one high ranking fire official told Lower Bucks Source last month, the shooting flames that can be seen from the Croydon and Third District Fire Companies video footage would lead one to reason a faulty ion battery caused the fire.
“That’s what you see in those kinds of fires, flames shooting outward and upward,” said one veteran firefighter.
County fire officials have neither confirmed nor denied that reasoning when asked directly.
What is clear, is that Bristol Borough Fire Chief Herb Slack said the Spruce Street fires were in his professional opinion “accidental.”
He said as much last month.
“For all those people who are concerned about an arsonist running loose because of all the recent serious fires that have occurred in the Borough, all of the fires appear to be accidental.”
Knocking back prevailing rumors the fires were intentionally caused still leaves many questions and people wondering what really caused the fire to tear through those homes.
Hopefully, an answer comes soon and “they tell us,”one Bristolian said Monday.
