UPDATE: Irvington Avenue Fire Ruled Accidental

The blaze that severely damaged the office of two Irvington Avenue opthalmologists was determined to be accidental, according to South Orange Fire Chief Jeffery Markey.

An investigation by the Fire Department determined that the fire was sparked by a 2 1/2-inch wood screw that pierced an electrical wire inside the top step of the third-floor staircase.

The six office workers in The Eye Center on Tuesday afternoon vacated the premises after smelling smoke, and no one was injured. The third floor and roof were seriously damaged, and the basement and first and second floors sustained heavy smoke and water damage. The building was determined to be uninhabitable, but Dr. Phillip Miller -- one of the proprietors -- was permitted to enter the building to retrieve some papers from the first floor yesterday.

Miller has been advised to contact Main Street South Orange to seek out alternate locations for his medical offices.