Chester’s FD Responds to Netcong Fatal Fire

A few days after he combined forces of Ralston and Brookside fought a , their neighbors in the Chester Fire Department were brought in to an overnight blaze in Netcong that claimed the life of the buildings one occupant, authorities said.

The Netcong fire is the latest in a busy 2012 for the Chester Fire Department, who have and assisted other agencies on numerous calls, like the fire last month.

The fire in the multifamily three story building was called in by Netcong Police officer Ryan Plumb who was on patrol just before midnight on April 5, said Captain Jeffrey Paul, spokesperson for Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi. Plumb notified the Morris County Communications Center which dispatched the appropriate emergency response units to the scene.   

According to officials, the fire burned through the second floor, where the victim was located, and up though the third floor before destroying the roof and cockloft. The Chester Firefighters arrived around 1:00 a.m. and worked with the surrounding squads to douse the blaze, which was declared out shortly after 4:00 a.m.

According to the statement from Paul, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Morris County Medical Examiner Doctor Carlos Fonseca at 5:19 a.m. this morning.

The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit, Major Crime Unit, Morris County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Section, Netcong Police Department and the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office are investigating both the origin and cause of the fire.

The identity of the victim is pending positive ID and next of kin notification.