Cause of Monday Fire Undetermined

The cause of the fire that did significant damage to Illinois Prefinish east of Altamont Monday is yet to be determined.

Altamont Fire Chief Jon Becker Tuesday said they have decided the fire originated near a conveyor by a sanding machine in the southeast corner of the building.  Becker said the State Fire Marshal's Office examiner could not determine the cause.

Becker said an examiner for the insurance company for the business' owner, Aaron Cox, will be at the business Wednesday to try to determine the cause, including whether a piece of equipment might have been the problem.

Monday morning's fire did major damage to the company's north building, but firefighters were able to keep a building immediately south watered enough to prevent the fire from spreading there.