Blowtorch Melting Snow May Have Caused Woodbridge Fire, Reports Say

Woodbridge, NJ - A homeowner using a blowtorch to melt ice and snow may have caused a small fire at a house on Church Street Sunday in Woodbridge, according to a statewide fire buff network and township firefighters.

Woodbridge firefighters were called to a home on Church Street at Freeman Street and Harrell Avenue Sunday at noon, firefighter Thomas McNamara told Patch.

Part of the insulation outside the home was on fire when they got there, he said. The homeowner was using a blowtorch to melt ice and snow at the time, New Jersey Fire Buff Network reported. There was a moderate amount of smoke in the basement, the network reported.

McNamara said he could not confirm the blowtorch detail, as he did not respond to the call. He said the fire did not extend inside the home, and the damage was very minor.

Residents were allowed back inside after firefighters left, he said.