'Electrical Problem' Sparked Fire That Destroyed Maplewood Home

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - An electrical problem in the Kendal Avenue neighborhood is being blamed for a fire that ignited a house fire Monday leaving the residence uninhabitable, according to Maplewood Fire Captain Keith Addie.

The Maplewood Fire Department responded to Kendal Avenue just before 5 p.m. to investigate an electrical condition with an odor of something burning, Addie said. Upon arrival, several residents were reporting various electrical conditions with lights blown in their homes.
The electrical panels were secured in all of the affected residences, but as firefighters were
exiting 26 Kendal Avenue, a pop was heard and shortly after the neighbors were pointing to the
home reporting a fire, Addie said.

Responders discovered heavy fire within a second floor window with smoke showing from the attic.

A water supply was established and two hand lines were deployed to the second floor to
quickly extinguish the flames, Addie said. Once the fire was knocked down, firefighters opened up the walls and ceiling on the second and third floor to check for possible extension with none found.

The fire was declared under control at 5:50 p.m.

Several addresses on the block had the power secured inside their homes, but PSE&G
also shut the power to the entire block until the problem could be rectified, Addie said.

Mutual aid fire departments from Millburn, South Orange and Union provided assistance
at the scene. There were no injuries reported at the incident, Addie said.

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