Crime & Safety
Fire Burns Hamilton Road Home
The deck fire damaged the single-family home that was in the process of being remodeled.
A three-alarm deck fire caused severe damage to a Hamilton Road home Thursday afternoon.
South Orange Police were the first to arrive on the scene and escorted two children out of the home before the South Orange, Maplewood and Orange Fire Departments responded, according to South Orange Fire Chief Jeff Markey.
No one was hurt in the blaze.
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According to South Orange Fire Department Cpt. Daniel Sullivan, a neighbor called 911 shortly before 5 p.m. to report the fire, which Sullivan estimated burned for about 10 minutes before it was extinguished.
“Our guys did an excellent job,” Markey said. “Another minute and this would have been another fire. It could have been much more serious.”
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Sullivan said the fire started on the deck before blowing out a window and igniting the kitchen, dining room and sections of the roof. Its exact cause is still under investigation.
The family purchased the home in April and was in the process of remodeling their kitchen.
A neighbor, who lives across the street, remarked that in 20 years he has never seen a fire engine on Hamilton Road.
