Port Coquitlam fire which closed city hall ruled an accident

A fire that raged through four Port Coquitlam buildings and caused the closure of the nearby city halllast monthhas been deemed accidental.

The city's fire service said Thursday that the July 30 blaze was sparked by an electric towel warmer in a barber shop.

The fire then spread upwards through the ceiling and into the rest of the structure.

Port Coquitlam Fire Chief Nick Delmonico estimated the damage to be in the millions of dollars. It also forced the evacuation of nearly 100 homes in the areaand the city hall.