TEMPLE — A fire that destroyed a home at 5 Forest Hill early Tuesday morning was ruled accidental, fire Chief David True said.

The home of Chris Wahlstrom off Varnum Pond Road was pretty much gone by the time firefighters arrived about 2 a.m., True said.

Wahlstrom, a Merchant Marine, was not at home. Apparently, a neighbor saw a glow coming from the residence and called officials, he said.

An investigator from the Office of the State Fire Marshal determined the cause was accidental, True said. Usually in cases like this, electricity is suspected as the cause, he said.

There were no other people or pets in the one-story home, which had a finished, walk-out basement, he said.

About two dozen firefighters from Temple, Farmington, Wilton, New Sharon, Chesterville and Strong helped at the scene. There was plenty of water available but nozzles kept freezing in the cold, True said.

abryant@sunmediagroup.net