ST. MARYS – A weekend fire in St. Marys has been ruled an accident, according to Ridgway-based state police.
According to the police report a state police fire marshal and the Crystal fire chief conducted the investigation into the origin and cause of a fire at a two-story dwelling at 445 S. Michael St.
Police said the building was unoccupied at the time of the fire and the owner, Brian Hanes, had last been seen about one week prior to the Aug. 22 fire.
Police said that when Hanes returned he discovered that a fire had broken out inside the structure. It went undetected and burned itself out prior to discovery.
Investigators ruled the fire as accidental in nature. Damage is estimated at $20,000.