South Orange Fire Department Knocks Out Montague Place Fire

A Montague Place home was determined to be uninhabitable by the South Orange Fire Department after the ceiling burst into flames early Sunday morning.

The South Orange Fire Department was called at 5:33 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17 on a report of a fire at 416 Montague Place. Headquarters 8-2, Truck 8-1 and Engine 8-5 responded, said South Orange Fire Chief Jeffrey Markey.

A fire was discovered in the first floor ceiling of the two-story home. Firefighters responded from South Orange, Maplewood and Orange.

“Police on the scene reported that they evacuated 11 persons and one dog from the building prior to the arrival of the fire department,” said Chief Markey. “Truck 8-1 was assigned to ladder the roof and conduct a primary search of the building which proved to be negative.”

Firefighters began to open the ceiling to access the fire while additional firefighters assisted with extinguishing the interior.

The fire had spread into the ceiling and roof of an outdoor porch, which had to be broken in order to vent the heat and smoke.

By 6:15 a.m. the fire was determined to be under control, said Markey.

At 8:45 a.m. all units returned to the station, except for S.O. Rescue 8-8 which remained on the scene to assist the home owners with the removal of their personal items and wait for the arrival of the Red Cross.

“An investigation was conducted by the S.O.F.D. to determine the origin and cause of the fire,” said Markey. “The origin of the fire was discovered to have started in the ceiling of the porch area and worked its way into the ceiling and roof on the second floor. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental due to a short circuit in the building electrical system.”

The home is now uninhabitable because of the severe fire damage to the first floor ceiling and roof as well as heavy water and smpke damage throughout the rest of the building.

“The Red Cross was notified and responded to coordinate housing and additional aid for the eleven displaced occupants of the home. There were no injuries at this fire.”

A Ladder Truck from Millburn and two Engines from the Irvington and West Orange were brought into the South Orange Fire Headquarters for coverage during the fire.