1 dead, another hospitalized after house fire in Morris County, prosecutor says
ROXBURY TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – One person is dead, and another is hospitalized, after a house fire in Morris County Tuesday afternoon, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll.
This happened at around 1:00 p.m. on Mooney Road located in the Ledgewood section of Roxbury Township, Carroll said.
Upon arrival, first responders located a resident, a 71-year-old man, who had self-extricated from the building. He was subsequently transported to an area hospital for treatment of severe fire-related injuries, Carroll said.
Following extensive fire suppression efforts, a second resident, a 98-year-old woman, was subsequently located dead inside of the home. The Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct a post-mortem examination, Carroll said.
As a result of the fire, the residence partially collapsed and is uninhabitable, Carroll said.
The incident remains under investigation by the Roxbury Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes and Arson/Environmental Crimes units.
“The incident is not considered suspicious at this point in the investigation,” Carroll said.
“I wanted to personally thank our Roxbury Fire Department and the firefighters and EMS personnel who came from surrounding towns to assist us yesterday. We understand the impact such a loss can have on the community. We ask for respect and privacy for the family, as they mourn the loss of their loved one and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and all those impacted by this loss,” Roxbury Township Police Chief Dean Adone said.
“I echo the sentiments of Chief Adone. This is a tragic event in our county. Myself and the members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office offer our deepest condolences to the victims, and their family and friends. I want to commend the courageous firefighters of the Roxbury Fire Department, as well as all the firefighters and EMS personnel from surrounding towns who responded to this dangerous call,” Carroll said.
Responding fire departments included Roxbury, Mount Olive, Chester, Mount Arlington, Morris Plains, Mine Hill, Hopatcong, Wharton, Stanhope, Byram, Ralston, Picatinny, Dover, and Parsippany.