Update: Victim identified in fatal Sussex County fire; preliminary investigation indicates accidental cause
SPARTA TOWNSHIP, NJ (Sussex County) – One person is dead and five were injured, including two police officers, following a house fire in Sussex County on Thursday morning.
On Oct. 10, at around 8:24 a.m., police received a report about a fire at 132 Sawmill Road in Sparta Township. Officers quickly responded to the scene, where they found smoke billowing from the residence, authorities said.
Upon arrival, officers were informed that a resident was still inside the home. They attempted to enter the building but were forced back due to the heavy smoke and flames, police said.
Three family members were able to escape with the assistance of patrol officers and were transported to Newton Medical Center for smoke inhalation and minor burns. Two patrol officers were also evaluated on-site for minor smoke inhalation but were determined to be okay and returned to duty immediately, police said.
The Sparta Fire Department, along with the Ogdensburg Fire Department, Andover Fire Department, and Jefferson Fire Department, responded swiftly and extinguished the blaze, police said.
One individual was discovered dead inside the residence. The identity of the victim is being withheld pending proper family notification, police said.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by Sparta Police detectives in collaboration with the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office.
