Officials are investigating what caused a fire at Parkhurst Estates that damaged a building used for multiple communal purposes shortly after 9:30 p.m. Monday.
‘The cause is potentially suspicious at this time,? said Oxford Fire Chief Jack LeRoy. ‘It could be accidental, but it’s unknown. All angles are being examined. A number of things are possible.?
The 672-square-foot, concrete block building was used by the manufactured home park, located west off M-24 and south of Teelin, as a mail room, school bus stop and storage facility for outdoor maintenance equipment.
LeRoy said it appears the fire originated in a plastic trash can kept in the mail room, which had no door and was open 24/7.
Flames spread up to the ceiling and into the attic causing between $35,000 to $40,000 in damage, according to the chief.
LeRoy said the small building will need a new roof and a fresh coat of paint.
All the mail that was in the building’s 312 mail boxes was turned over to the Oxford Post Office on E. Burdick St. Parkhurst residents can pick it up there.
‘There was quite a quantity of mail in the boxes,? LeRoy. ‘Some mail was damaged by water, smoke and heat, but most of it’s salvageable.?
‘They’ll have to pick their mail up at the post office until their boxes are replaced,? the chief added.
Given LeRoy is retiring Oct. 31, this was most likely his last fire ? knock wood.