The cause of the house fire that originated in the garage of a home at 401 Shipwrighter Way in the Grist Mill development in Towamencin Township appears to be accidental, according to Towamencin Township Fire Chief Bill Oettinger.

“The origin of the fire is under investigation,” Oettinger said Monday. “The home is a total loss due to water and fire damage.”

According to Towamencin Township Fire Company Deputy Chief Dean Miller, the fire was reported at 5:30 p.m., and while it was primarily contained to the garage, it began to spread into the home.

“We were able to contain it quickly and keep it from spreading,” Miller said.

Miller said the entire contents of the garage were damaged, including a vehicle.

There was also extensive damage to the exterior wall, adjacent interior rooms and roof of the home as the fire spread, Miller said.

The American Red Cross did not respond to the scene, but the family has made other temporary living arrangements, he said.

They were not injured. Shipwrighter was closed, as was Orvilla Road between Welsh and Allentown roads. The scene was cleared by 9pm

Towamencin Fire was assisted at the scene by Hatfield Vol. Fire Co., North Penn Vol. Fire Co., Perseverance Fire Co. of Souderton, Fairmount Fire Co. of Lansdale, Fairmount Fire Police, VMSC EMS, Towamencin Police and Oettinger.