The Cambridge Fire Department has completed its investigation into Sunday's fire that displaced five tenants and left extensive smoke and water damage throughout the interior of a duplex at 34 Linwood Ave.
Chief fire prevention officer Eric Yates said the fire was likely caused by an electrical malfunction. The blaze caused an estimated $380,000 in damage.
Tenants who were living in the home, two in a basement apartment and three upstairs, were assisted by Red Cross to find alternative accommodations.
Yates said the owner of the property knew exactly who was in the home and there didn't appear to be signs that additional people were living there after rumours the bungalow was being used as a "rooming house" or illegal duplex prompted the city to investigate.
On visual inspection, firefighters and bylaw staff said the number of bedrooms appeared to be accurate as far as what's allowed for two leases.
Yates added, however, it could be the case that registered tenants are "putting people up to allow them to sleep on the couches."
City spokesperson Julie Kalbfleisch also confirmed a "zoning investigation" launched Sunday is now closed.
"At the time of our investigation they were in compliance as there were only two leases," the city's bylaw department reported.
Neighbouring property owner Fred Hodgson took video of the Sunday afternoon blaze that filled his Hilltop Drive neighbourhood with thick smoke.
Hodgson said he wasn't surprised when the fire broke out since he had called the fire department "no less than three or four times" to report backyard fires on the property, among other concerns he had with activities witnessed from his backyard.
He said tenants and visitors to the home would often hop his fence and cut through his property, prompting him to install security cameras and signs.
Another immediate neighbour, who didn't want to provide a name for fear of retaliation, said they have been dealing with unruly tenants for years.
She said they come and go at all hours of the night, and were notorious for piling junk in the backyard that attracted rats.
The city confirmed the property was part of an ongoing property standards investigation at the time of the fire.
Kalbfleisch said the owner complied with the order and the property was inspected before a a contractor was hired to complete the required work.
"Municipal compliance had not yet completed a final inspection,” before the fire broke out, she said.
Hodgson said he watched a contractor come to the home Wednesday to repair the roof but he suspects it will remain vacant for some time
"It's like a bee's nest that's been taken away," Hodgson said. "There's a lot of people really happy about that."
The home's owner could not be reached for comment.
