Electrical malfunction causes house fire in Bethany

BETHANY BEACH, Del. – The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal says a fire that heavily damaged a Bethany Beach home Tuesday morning was accidental in nature.

The fire was reported shortly before 9:30 a.m. in the 31000 block of May Drive, in the Bethany Lakes community. The Millville Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene and were able to control the blaze with assistance from mutual aid fire companies.

The home was occupied at the time of the fire, however, all occupants were able to escape without injury.

State fire investigators were called to the scene, and through further investigation, determined that the fire was accidental, caused by an electrical malfunction in the exterior pool equipment area. Total damage has been estimated at $500,000.