PITTSFIELD — The cause of a fire that destroyed a home Tuesday afternoon on Peltoma Avenue has been labeled undetermined because of the extensive damage, but it was most likely electrical, according to the state fire marshal’s office.

The fire, reported at 4:32 p.m., started in the living room of the home owned by former Rep. Sumner A. “Bud” Jones Jr., according to Sgt. Joel Davis, who works for the state fire marshal’s office. Electrical items such as a heating pad, a television and radios were in the room at the time, he said, and could have played a role in the fire.

The cause could have been an overloaded circuit, Davis said, but investigators don’t know for sure because the damage in the room was “too great.”

He said the cause is not suspicious.

Firefighters first thought Jones’ wife, Barbara, was inside the single-family, single-story, wood frame modular home when they arrived at the scene, but later learned she was at a neighbor’s house. Sumner Jones was at Manson Park watching a ballgame.

Barbara Jones was taken to Sebasticook Valley Hospital to be checked because she seemed to have soot on her, Pittsfield Fire Chief Bernard Williams said. He said he thought she was released later on Tuesday.

Davis didn’t know where the couple stayed after the fire totaled their home, but said they have relatives in the area. He said he thinks they have insurance.

Sumner Jones, a retired dairy farmer and insurance agent, served in the 117th, 118th and 119th Legislatures as a Republican representing District 104, which includes Pittsfield, Clinton and Detroit.

Williams did not immediately return a phone call seeking further clarification.

Madeline St. Amour — 861-9239

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Twitter: @madelinestamour