Area Fire Departments Respond to House Fire in Chatham Township

The Chatham Township Fire Department and Police Department responded to in Chatham Township on Saturday, June 11, according to a statement released Monday.

Fire departments from Chatham Borough, Green Village, Summit, New Providence and Berkeley Heights, along with the Chatham Emergency Squad and the Colonial Crossroads chapter of the American Red Cross, also responded to the fire, according to police.

When the first Chatham Township Police officer arrived, he could see a smoke-filled room on the second floor of the residence, police said.

Sgt. Daniel Papa and Officers Michael Bloom and Michael Sawyer entered the home in an effort to extinguish the fire on two separate occasions, but each time they were pushed back by extreme smoke when they reached the room, police said.

The officers extinguished the structure and found all of the family members and pets accounted for, according to police.

Police said it appears that the fire may have been started by an unattended candle burning in a bedroom.

One person was treated for smoke inhilation at the scene, but no one was taken to the hospital.