1 dead in Morristown, New Jersey house fire

(Photo: WILLIAM WESTHOVEN/STAFF PHOTO)

William Westhoven, @WWesthoven 12:13 p.m. EDT July 14, 2015

 

MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY

One person died when a fire tore through a Pine Street house early Tuesday morning, according to Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Morristown Chief of Police Peter Demnitz.

A release from the prosecutor's office confirmed one fatality at 15 Pine St., a three-story residence with a business — Morristown Computer Solutions — on the first floor.

One person died and seven more were displaced after a fire tore through a Pine Street building early Tuesday morning, according to Morris County and Morristown officials. IPHONE VIDEO BY 

 WILLIAM WESTHOVEN JULY 14, 2015 

Fire officials on the scene Tuesday morning declined to comment, saying information would be released after they conclude their investigation. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office said it would release additional details later today.
The American Red Cross North Jersey issued a statement saying it was assisting seven people displaced by the fire, providing clothing and food. Those people were staying with friends and family, according to the statement.

 

No other details were available late Tuesday morning about the total number of injuries or displaced residents.

Faber Brooks, who lives nearby, said he caught a glimpse of the fire early Tuesday morning on his way home from working in town at the Grasshopper on the Green restaurant.

"I feel bad for the people who live there," Brooks said.

David Steketee, who lives around the corner, said an inside staircase on the side of the building led to several apartments located on the second and third floors of the house, with another apartment in back.

Emergency personnel at the scene of an early-morning fatal house fire Tuesday at 15 Pine Street in Morristown. July 14, 2015. Photo courtesy of David Steketee. (Photo: Photo courtesy of David Stekete)

The heaviest fire damage seen from the street was on the raised, covered porch that wrapped from the front to the side of the home, located on the corner of Pine Street and King Place. Investigators focused on King Place side of the windowless porch, measuring burn marks on the wall, taking photographs and examining burnt objects.

A propane gas grill could be seen on the porch, but there was no evidence of an explosion.

The entire porch and first floor sustained heavy fire damage. Tar from the porch roof had melted and dripped down the stucco-covered walls around the raised porch, and siding on the side of the house had melted.

Several windows in the house were broken, while the roof of the house had several charred holes.

Responders included the Morristown Fire Department and Police, the Morris County sheriff's Office and the Morris County Prosecutors Arson Unit. Police controlling traffic in the area had King Place blocked off.

An employee answering the Morristown Computer Solutions phone from another location declined to comment.

Firefighters at the scene of a house fire early Tuesday morning at 15 Pine Street in Morristown. Authorities have confirmed one death. (Photo: Peggy Wright/Staff Photo)