Electric heater likely caused fire

Staff reports

VERNON

State Fire Marshal investigators said Monday the cause of a Sunday fire in Vernon Township likely was the result of a malfunction with an electric heater in the kitchen.

But investigators said officially, the cause of the fire at 8021 Jewell-Greenville Road will be ruled undetermined because the specific cause could not be pinpointed.

A woman in her late 40s was able to escape the home, which was destroyed, but did suffer minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment, according to reports.

Meanwhile, the fire marshal investigators, along with the Salem fire and police departments, have not ruled out a malfunction related to natural gas as they continue investigating a Sunday morning house fire and explosion in Salem.

The blast occurred about 1:20 a.m. Sunday at 467 Aetna St. and destroyed the home and damaged neighboring houses, according to reports.

Two adults were home at the time of the explosion, but neither was injured, investigators said.