News Release

Grand Forks, ND – The Grand Forks Fire Department has concluded its investigation on
a fire that caused extensive damage at 925 North Third Street on Tuesday,
March 29, 2011.
The fire was caused by the failure of an exterior electrical outlet. The outlet was
mounted by a backyard deck and had become corroded by exposure to natural elements.
This corrosion caused an electrical arc which ignited the siding of the house and the deck.
Even though notification and response time by the Grand Forks Fire Department was
very quick, smoke and flames had penetrated deeply within the house upon arrival.
GF Fire Marshalls were assisted in this investigation by the City of Grand Forks’
Electrical Inspector, Bob Kvitne and Deputy State Fire Marshal, Jerry McCarty.
The Fire Department would like to remind residents to check the operation of all smoke
detectors within their buildings.