Bare Wires Ignite Electrical Fire in E. Hanover Home

An East Hanover home suffered smoke and fire damage after two wires ignited an electrical fire on July 26, according to a police statement.

East Hanover police and fire officials responded at about 4:20 p.m. July 26 when they received reports of an electrical fire. The homeowner, Joaquina Lazaro, said the electrical meter on the exterior wall of the garage was sparking, though it was not sparking when police arrived.

A few minutes after Patrolman Michael Rohllf arrived on the scene, he wrote in his report, the meter began to make a popping sound and setting off sparks, then burst into flames.

Fire Department members were able to contain the flames using fire extinguishers. The fire burned through the exterior stucco of the home and partially burned and charred the interior wall. The home's exterior also suffered smoke damage, and the flames partially burned and charred the interior wall and melted the soffit under the roof's overhang, Rohllf said.

JCP&L and PSE&G came to the scene and shut off utilities to the home. 

The East Hanover Fire Department determined that two bare wires touched and caused the sparks and ultimately the fire.