UPDATE: Ocean City building fire ruled accidental

A fire that ripped through an Ocean City building on Wednesday, has been ruled accidental.

The Town of Ocean City says the fire that started around 11:00 AM at the Pelican Beach Condominium on 140th Street, started in the on the ground floor parking garage, where a generator was sitting in the bed of a pickup truck. Officials say the fire then quickly spread to the bed and cab of the truck, fully engulfing the vehicle, before rapidly spread throughout the entire parking garage ceiling.

The flames were apparently fueled by the combustible spray-on insulation and strong winds. The fire then made its way up the east side of the building, fueled by the exterior finishes and balcony furniture, getting into only one unit of the building.

“The interior of one unit experienced significant fire damage, as well as the building’s east side exterior balconies,” said Ocean City Fire Marshal David Hartley. “Damage to the remaining units consisted of heat and smoke, however; the underground parking area, which was the only portion of the building protected by a fire sprinkler system, was unaffected by the fire.”

Three people who were working on the roof when the fire broke out, made it out safely. Officials say at this time, the 28-unit building has been posted “no occupancy” because of  the fire damage.