Cause Of Cranford Fatal Fire Under Investigation

CRANFORD, NJ - Officials are still looking for a cause of the fast-moving fire that tore through a Hillcrest Avenue home Sunday morning killing one occupant.

According to Cranford Fire Official and Emergency Management Coordinator Lt. Matthew Lubin the Cranford Fire and Police Departments responded to a residential house fire in the 500 Block of Hillcrest Avenue around 6:45 Sunday morning.

Responding fire crews encountered heavy fire conditions in a single family dwelling and quickly initiated a defensive exterior fire attack. The extent of the fire prevented firefighters from making entry into the house initially, Lubin said.

Once the fire conditions were suppressed, firefighters made entry and discovered one victim on the first floor, who was pronounced deceased at the scene, Lubin said. No other information is on the victim will be released pending notification of next of kin, Lubin said.

According to Lubin, the fire left the home severely damaged and uninhabitable but fire crews kept the damage to neighboring homes as mainly exterior.

Fire crews from several surrounding towns responded through the Union County Fire Mutual Aid system and assisted with the extinguishment of the fire.

“While it’s very unfortunate that a resident was lost in this fire," Cranford Fire Chief Daniel Czeh said. "I’m thankful for the fast work of our Fire and Police responders to contain the fire without injury or extensive damage to the neighboring properties. The neighborhood was very appreciative and supportive of our responders.”

According to Lubin, the Union County Fire Investigation unit responded and is in the process of a thorough investigation into the origin and cause of this fire and the Cranford Police and Fire Departments are working closely with the County to complete the investigation.

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

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