No Injuries Reported After Residential Structure Fire In Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ — A fire at a Long Valley residence was quickly brought under control by members of the Washington Township Fire Department on Tuesday afternoon, limiting damage, the Washington Township police said.

The fire on West Mill Road was reported at 5:26 p.m. when a neighbor noticed smoke accumulating outside the home, police said.

The Long Valley Chief arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the back of the house. Two bystanders and two firefighters were already on the scene, using a garden hose from the residence to keep the fire under control, officials said.

A preliminary investigation found that the fire was potentially started by a faulty light switch, although that has not been confirmed, Washington Township Police Officer Mark Niemynski said.

The fire appeared to have started on the exterior of a garage, near a wood pile, according to investigators.

There were no injuries reported as a result of the fire as the home was unoccupied at the time, Niemynski said.

The fire caused damage to the siding, structural wall and roof of the garage, police said.

Firefighters from Fairmount, Schooley's Mountain and Long Valley were working at the scene for about 35 minutes, with assistance from the Long Valley First Aid Squad and the Washington Township Police Department.

The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation by the Washington Township Police Department.