Early AM Fire at 258 East S. Orange Ave. Extinguished

An early-morning fire at 258 East South Orange Ave. was deemed accidental and caused by the misuse of a a multi-plug electrical extension cord. One resident of the complex was treated and taken to St. Barnabas Hospital. There were no other injuries. Chief Jeff Markey provided details of the fire.

At 3:37 a.m. on Thurs., the South Orange Fire Department received a call from a resident of 258 East South Orange Ave., who stated that her bedroom was on fire.

When SOFD personnel arrived on the scene, a two-story, eight-unit apartment complex, they found residents outside. A Heavy Smoke condition was discovered in apartment 4 on the first floor. Support was provided by Maplewood and Orange Fire Departments, and an EMS BLS Unit from the South Orange Volunteer Rescue Squad. One resident was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital due to smoke exposure.

The SOFD brought the fire under control, and determined that the origin of the fire was in the rear bedroom of Apartment 4, between the bed and the north wall of the bedroom.  The cause of the fire was determined to be the misuse of a multi-plug electrical extension cord pressed between the bed and the wall. The fire was determined to be accidental.

Residents of other units were able to return to their apartments. The resident of apartment 4 was not, due to smoke, fire and water damage.