Blaze Destroys Chester Twp. Home Tuesday Morning

By Jason Koestenblatt and Russ Crespolini

A major blaze destroyed the second floor of a Chester Township home Tuesday morning, displacing a family and requiring more than two hours of firefighting to knock it down.

The fire broke out in the brick center hall Colonial located at 372 Route 24 shortly before 10 a.m. Chester Township Police Lt. Tom Williver said the fire initially started in the chimney and the son of the homeowner tried to put it out before losing containment. Williver also said there were no injuries and one occupant and two pets were able to escape safely.

Traffic was initially snarled in both directions before the burgeoning blaze, which punched out the roof and forced firefighters to retreat, before the road was closed outright between Fox Chase Road and Cooper Lane.

A mile stretch of Route 24 in Chester Township to the east and west of the house was closed for four hours. 

Neighbor Linn Picot, who has lived in Chester for two decades, saw the start of the fire. According to Picot, the parents did not appear to be home at the time but "the two kids and dogs were."

More than 20 firefighters mustered on the front lawn for the exterior attack, which took two hours and numerous fire departments. 

Chester Fire Chief Toby Drysdale confirmed at the scene the fire began in the chimney but there was also an issue with the furnace.

According to tax records, the home is owned by William and Maria Peralta. 

Firefighters from Chester, Budd Lake, Randolph, Mendham, Far Hills, Bedminster, Morris Plains, and Fairmount (Washington Township) all assisted at the scene to battle the blaze. The Chester First Aid Squad and the Morris County Office of Emergency Management also assisted.

Video: Firemen Battle Chester Blaze

Chester Township Mayor Bill Cogger said he spoke with OEM Coordinator Bruce Ellman and the township was ready to assist the family.

"Anything the town can do we will certainly do," Cogger said. "Whether it is a clothing drive or working with the Chester Food Pantry. Bruce Ellman is already looking into ways to help out."

Once homeowner William Peralta arrived at the scene, firefighters needed to restrain him from entering the home while the blaze continued to ravage the home. Just after noon, Peralta was escorted into the home by firefighters to find some personal belongings of value. 

Peralta wept as he stared at his home in disbelief. 

Jacki Spinelli, who runs the Chester Food Pantry, said the pantry would be able to help.

"We don't just have non-perishables we also have ShopRite gift cards," Spinelli said.

Spinelli said she couldn't recall a family being displaced by a fire so close to the holidays in Chester before, but said the pantry would be open to the family for whatever they need.