Bridgewater Family Loses Home, Car In Christmas Weekend Fire: Photos

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A Bridgewater family is homeless after a fire destroyed their home and car on Christmas weekend.

The fire was reported on Sunday, Dec. 26 at 4:36 a.m. at a single-family home on Hodge Drive with all of the family inside.

It was found that the fire started in a garbage can located outside the garage.

"The homeowner discarded ashes from his fire pit into the garbage can. Sometime overnight the can ignited spreading the fire onto the house," said Mitzak.

The fire had also ignited a gas meter, said Bill Rose, with the Martinsville Volunteer Fire Company, said

Martinsville firefighters along with other neighboring fire departments were able to extinguish the bulk of the fire within 45 minutes. However, Rose said a portion of the fire continued to burn for several hours due to the gas from the main being unable to be shut off initially.

Luckily, smoke detectors went off and the homeowner was able to get everyone out of the house, said Rose.

Everyone escaped the home with no injuries, said Bridgewater Police Captain John Mitzak.

The home is uninhabitable and the residents are staying with family, said Mitzak.

Additionally, the family also lost a car that was damaged in the fire.

Along with Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department, several fire departments responded including Finderne Fire, Green Knoll Fire, Warren Fire, Bound Brook fire, and Liberty Corner fire. Also on scene were the Bridgewater Police Department, Martinsville EMS and the Somerset County Mutual Aide Coordinators. Far Hills-Bedminster and Watchung Fire who stood by at our HQ for coverage.

Following the fire, The Volunteer Squad is working with the local community to do a gift card drive to help them out as they work to rebuild and move on.

The Volunteer Squad is looking for gift cards to Target, ShopRite, Walmart, Kohls, Amazon, Bed Bath and Beyond.

Cards may be dropped off at the following addresses between now and Feb. 1st: 10 Overlook Dr., Bridgewater or 14 Curtis Trail, Martinsville.

Cash-only donations are also being accepted at paypal.me/TheMaskSquadNJ and with the note "Christmas Day Fire Relief."

"We appreciate whatever support you can lend to this amazing and loving family in their time of need," according to the Volunteer Squad.

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