Chief: Lilly Pond fire was caused by electrical problem

SAUGUS-Fire Chief James Blanchard said he is almost positive that it was an electrical problem that sparked the fire last week on Lily Pond Avenue.Last Thursday heat from a fire at 20 Lily Pond Ave. destroyed most of the home’s contents even though flames were largely confined to the rear of the home.”It started in one of the bedrooms,” Blanchard said. “It was most likely electrical, but we’re not positive.”Blanchard said he did notice there were two fire detectors in the home but both had been disabled.One alarm was in the basement and the batteries had been removed. Blanchard said the second fire detector, the one closest to the fire, was on a ceiling that was in the midst of being refinished and it had also been disabled.”If it had been after midnight they might not have gotten out,” he said.The fire broke out around 5 p.m. however and the four people inside the home, along with their cats, all got out safely.Blanchard said the holidays are not a good time to ignore smoke alarms since there is often a lot going on. If residents have overlooked the alarms, the New Year is a good time to resolve to check the batteries and keep them online.