First: The food on the stove is their alternative theory as to the origin and cause of the fire. They hold this position even though they admit that they (the FD) did not even consider the refrigerator as the origin/cause.

Secondly, in this case the refrigerator involved is a side by side and the control panel with the defrost timer, light switch, light socket, and moisture control switch are located in the top front portion of the refrigerator compartment in close proximity to the door liner and gasket. Owner reports problems with unit prior to fire failing to cool on an intermitant basis.

Interior of refrigerator/freezer is very heavily damage (most combustibles are comsumed) even though the fire damage to the dwelling is limited. I have only seen this level of interior damage before when the dwelling was almost totally destroyed.

James G. Munger, PhD, FIFireE, CFPS
www.qdotengineering.com
W3NFA