Journal-News.com

A home at 213 Country Club Drive was called a "total loss" by Oxford Fire Chief John Detherage, who said Monday, Dec. 22, that no cause has yet been determined.

Detherage did not place a dollar value on the loss, pending more investigation of the value of the property but said damage was so extensive that it will be a total loss.

There were no injuries in the blaze, which was in the residence of Doug and Pam Stizler.

Oxford Fire Department was called to the address at 7:29 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19, and found the home fully engulfed by smoke and flames.

They also requested help from College Corner Fire Department, which sent a truck to the scene.

Monday, Detherage said no cause has yet been determined but investigation continues. He said an insurance investigator has visited the scene. The fire chief said that they are suspecting electrical cause, but the amount of damage makes it a difficult process.

That echoes what Detherage said at the scene Friday.

"The floors are so burned, we may not be able to find a cause," Detherage said then.

He said that their attention is focussing on an area in the basement at the rear of the home under the dining room.

A neighbor who looked out her window to see the blaze called the basement "an inferno."

Flames were still visible at the peak of the roof at 9 a.m. as firefighters worked to put out the blaze.

They remained at the scene until approximately 5 p.m.

Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139 or bratterman@coxohio.com.