Apartment Fire Caused By Forgotten Pot: Hackettstown PD

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — A pot forgotten on the stove caused a small fire in a Hackettstown apartment Monday night, Hackettstown police said.

A small fire broke out around 7:30 p.m. at 113 Main Street, causing heavy smoke, police said. Firefighters found a pot burning on the stovetop, and a man passed out in bed. It took 30 minutes to clear out the smoke, police said.

Police say the man, Luis Caceres, 43, of Hackettstown, left the pot on the stovetop and "passed out on his bed." He was charged with recklessly creating a hazardous and dangerous condition to the public, and was released with an upcoming court date.

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