More questions than answers in Claremont St. fire

The Gaffney Fire Department spent about three hours at the scene of an early Friday fire on Claremont Street, first battling the blaze and then determining why it started.

Until more information is developed, however, the Gaffney Fire Department report on the fire will contain question marks.

Owned by Johnny Little, the rental property at 204 Claremont St. was recently vacated by tenants and had no power service, said Gaffney Fire Chief Nathan Ellis.

"The power had been cut off since around new year's," he said.

Although nobody was around when firefighters arrived at the scene, Ellis said there was evidence that people had been using the home as firefighters found beer cans and candles inside. "It was obvious people had been living there with no power."

The fire began in a back porch area, where there were few possible sources of ignition. The fire burned through the roof and the onestory wood-framed residence sustained enough damage that it would probably be considered a total loss, Ellis said.

Ellis said it was unclear what actually sparked the blaze. "Our report will say we were unable to rule out accidental or intentional causes," he said.

Police were called to the scene to file a report. Anyone with information is asked to call the Gaffney Fire Department or Gaffney Police Department.

All three Gaffney fire stations responding to the scene including headquarters, Overbrook and East Gaffney. No one was injured.

The fire was called in at 4:54 a.m. by two different passers-by.

Firefighters had the blaze under control within 20 minutes.