A house fire which destroyed a Maryborough home last week, causing over $600,000 worth of damage, was started by an electrical appliance, fire investigators have found.

Local brigades turned out to the Bristol Court property on Thursday morning last week to find the house fully involved.

Crews battled the blaze for around 20 minutes, keeping it contained to the property.

Maryborough Fire Brigade Captain Darryl Wagstaff said fire investigators have determined the fire started in a bedroom at the rear of the house.

“The fire investigator has deter- mined the cause to be electrical,” he said.

“It’s been pinpointed to either a laptop or printer on a table in the back bedroom. It appears one of those items has overheated.

“There are more investigations to go through.”

Captain Wagstaff said the estimated damage done is significant.

“Speaking with the owners, there was around $500,000 worth of damage for the building, and over $150,000 in contents,” he said.

The incident is a warning to residents to ensure appliances are turned off when they leave the house, Captain Wagstaff said.

“Make sure you turn off household appliances before you leave the house whether it’s laptops, printers or mobile phones,” he said.

“This fire was caused by something simple like that which we’ve all done. Be vigilant of what you leave turned on at home when you go out.”