Fire Ravages Home on Lincoln Avenue

A Lincoln Avenue home sustained significant fire damage Thursday afternoon, and one firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation as crews battled near triple-digit temperatures to bring the blaze under control.

No residents of the one-story home were injured, authorities said.

The West Orange Fire Department responded to the fire around 3:30 p.m. It was extinguished in about 45 minutes.

“I’m just happy that everyone came out safe and were blessed not to get hurt,” said Emanuel Peak, the brother of the homeowner. “My main concern was to get up here and make sure they were safe.” 

Wilhel Mina, who lives across the street, said she believed the fire began under the porch on the side of the house. There also appeared to be a woodpile beneath the porch. 

“I heard click, click, click, like ... wood being fed into a fire,” Mina said. "And then when I looked out of a window here I saw a fire.” 

Mina said she had called police and then ran across the street to tell the family, but they had already exited the house. 

“I can’t believe how fires spread out so fast,” said Mina.

Fire Chief Paul O’Connor said he could not comment about the cause of the fire or where it originated.

One firefighter required treatment for smoke inhalation and was transported to a nearby hospital, according to O’Connor. The homeowner was also taken to a hospital for precautionary measures. 

O’Connor said that the investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.