Air Conditioning Unit or Home Electronics May Have Caused Chesterfield Fire

An air conditioning unit or home electronics likely prompted the fire at a Chesterfield Township apartment complex late last month, said Friday.

Flames spread from a top corner unit Aug. 23 at the complex, causing at least $1 million in damages and leaving .

During this early stage of the investigation, township firefighters believe the cause is electrical but are waiting for the outcome of an independent investigation.

Fire Chief Doug Charbonneau said Friday that the tenant who lived in the apartment where the fire originated plugged in an air conditioning unit and home electronics shortly before the fire spread. 

Immediately after, multiple Georgetown tenants said they suspected that particular window air conditioning unit was faulty and had been smoking.

At the scene, fire officials and township Supervisor Michael Lovelock said the apartment complex is up to code to their knowledge.