Just before 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, the South Orange Fire Department (SOFD) responded to a fire in the second floor of a single family home on Sinclair Terrace.

According to a report supplied by South Orange Fire Chief Jeffrey Markey, three residents were in the house at the time when one smelled something burning.  Firefighters found the fire in the second floor bathroom where the home’s owner had been doing plumbing repairs. 

The fire was quickly extinguished by the department with mutual aid provided by Maplewood and Orange.  The Maplewood Fire Department was assigned as the fast team and the overhaul, checking for extension of the fire, was performed with the assistance of the Orange Engine Company.

An Origin and Cause investigation conducted by the SOFD showed that the fire was caused by a malfunctioning blowtorch.  There was fire damage to the second floor bathroom with smoke damage to the second and third floor of the house.  The fire has been ruled accidental.

The South Orange Police Department and the South Orange Rescue Squad responded to the scene to provide aid to the firefighters.  Anthony Grenci, Director of Code Enforcement for South Orange, responded to the scene as well.

No injuries were reported.