Fire still under investigation

GORE -- A fire that destroyed a Frederick County home Wednesday, and left the resident homeless, remains under investigation.

The blaze, reported at approximately 4:30 p.m., leveled the small, two-story house at 831 Knob Road, north of U.S. 50, near Gore.

The man who lives in the home was at work out of state when the fire was reported, according to Frederick County Assistant Fire Marshal Jay Bauserman.

Bauserman said Thursday morning he needed to return to the scene to continue the investigation and determine where and how the fire started. The fire marshal said so far it appears the blaze started by accident, but he added his investigation remains in the early stages.

The occupant had pets living inside the house and they likely perished in the fire, Bauserman said.

A friend of the occupant has offered the man a place to stay, the fire official said. Also, workers with the local chapter of the American Red Cross came to the scene to help the man find clothes and other items to replace those lost in the fire, Bauserman said.