Investigators Determine Cause of Binghamton Fire

Authorities say they now know how an fire in an apartment complex on Binghamton's West Side started.

Investigators have concluded the blaze that ripped through the three-story brick building at 1 Mather Street was accidental.

City fire marshal Daniel Eggleston said the fire was ignited by a bathroom ceiling fan in a vacant first-floor apartment. The fan had been running for several days before the fire broke out early May 9.

Eggleston said the blaze originated in a wall between the apartment and an office in the front of the building. The fire went undiscovered as it spread up a pipe chase to the roof.

The fire department was notified at about 3:50 a.m. as the blaze spread to a large section of the 26-unit apartment house.

Eggleston said firefighters rescued two occupants from the third floor and one occupant of the second floor as the flames intensified. One person was reported injured as a result of the fire.

Investigators determined 20 of the 26 apartments sustained no fire damage. The structure had significant smoke and water damage and much of the roof was destroyed by the fire.