Hanukkah Menorah Caused North Brunswick Condo Fire, Police Say

NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — The multi-alarm fire that destroyed several condo units — and briefly trapped an older couple and their grandchildren on a balcony — in a North Brunswick complex last week was started by a Hanukkah menorah, North Brunswick police confirmed the Patch.

The fire broke out around 10 p.m. last Saturday, Dec. 8 on Albury Way in the Governor's Pointe condo community off Rt. 1. The flames spread quickly and the fire had already fully engulfed two units when police officers arrived on the scene at 10:19 p.m. When North Brunswick patrol officers got there, they found two small children and their grandparents stranded on the second-floor balcony.

"The fire has been deemed accidental, and is believed to have been caused by a holiday menorah with actual candles," said North Brunswick police Capt. Brian Hoiberg. "The resident lit the candles and retreated to her bedroom to get ready for bed. Shortly after she heard smoke alarms and then saw the fire."

North Brunswick police officer Joseph Grasso scaled the balconies and climbed to the second floor. He removed the children, and dropped them down to other officers on the ground, who caught them. The same was done with the children's grandparents. You can watch dramatic rescue videos of the incident below:

Related coverage of that same Dec. 8, 2018 fire: Watch Children, Grandparents Saved In North Brunswick Condo Fire

Top: Shutterstock photo. Video supplied to Patch by North Brunswick police.