Fatal Fire In Cranford Deemed Accidental (UPDATED)

CRANFORD, NJ - Investigators are still looking into the cause of the fire that claimed the life of a Brookdale Place resident Thursday, but Cranford Fire Chief Daniel Czeh says it was accidental.

The Cranford Police Department responded to a reported house fire on Brookdale Place shortly after 3 p.m., officials said. The Cranford Fire Department, along with several neighboring
municipalities, fought the fire down which had engulfed the two-story home.

"Upon arrival, Cranford units encountered a large volume of fire on the second floor, attic and the rear exterior of the house," Czeh said.

According to Czeh, crews entered the structure to begin suppression efforts.

"Union County Mutual Aid was requested and various fire departments responded to the scene to assist," Czeh said.

A victim of the fire was found inside the home and was pronounced dead on scene shortly thereafter, officials said.

An ongoing investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the fire.

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