Forklift Smashes Into Borough Home, Causes Extensive Damage

A loaded forklift parked at a home Broadview Terrace rolled down a hill and into a home nearby, causing the roof to collapse, according to Chatham Borough police.

Police said the forklift was parked in the backyard of 18 Broadview Terrace by a contractor at 4 p.m. The contractor, according to police, put a wood chock behind its tires and left for the day, but the machine managed to break free at 10:50 p.m. and roll into the backyard of 40 Broadview Terrace, when it subsequently smashed into the side of that home.

Police said the home sustained "extensive damage"—a portion of the roof had collapsed, and other parts of the home were hit as well. After the incident, there was an odor of natural gas, according to police, so the borough fire department also responded to the scene.

No one in the home was injured, according to police. The Morris County Crisis Intervention Unit assisted at the scene.