The Dog is Safe and In the Clear

The dog didn't do it. A South Orange Fire Department report of the blaze at 324 Vose Avenue gives details of the night's events, after earlier speculation that a pet dog had knocked over a candle. Instead, the cause of the fire was a wiring failure in the ceiling of the second floor.  The fire has been ruled accidental.  

At approximately 9:00p.m. on Sunday, Headquarters 8-2, Truck 8-1 and Engine 8-5 responded to a heavy smoke condition and a working fire.  Engine companies from the Maplewood and West Orange Fire Departments also responded.

Headquarters 8-2 arrived on the scene and established command, reporting that there was heavy smoke throughout the house, with reports of a fire on the second floor. SOPD Officers on the scene reported that there were two residents at home and both were out of the house.  They were cared for by the South Orange Rescue Squad and released.

Engine 8-5 crew developed a water supply and advanced a 1-3/4 inch hose line to the second floor.   Truck 8-1 crew members conducted a primary search and opened the roof over the fire for ventilation. Maplewood's Engine arrived and was instructed to advance a second line to the second floor and assist with the roof ventilation.  West Orange arrived on the scene and was assigned as the FAST Team. 

When all visible fire was extinguished, Headquarters 8-2 declared the fire under control.  The ceilings were pulled in the room of origin and the fire in the underside of the roof was knocked down. 

Two SOFD firefighters located a dog earlier reported missing.  The dog, found under a bed on the second floor, received minor burns to its body and was barely breathing.  The dog was removed from the building by SOFD firefighters and was given to the SORS where it was given oxygen.  The dog was later transported to an animal hospital for treatment. 

An engine company from Irvington and an engine company from Orange were brought into the SOFD fire headquarters for coverage. Rescue 8-8 was dispatched to the scene with off-duty SOFD personnel. 

The house sustained heavy fire and smoke damage to the second floor and heavy smoke and water damage to the first floor.  The electrical power was shut down. The roof opening and the windows were covered to protect the building from weather.  The building was determined to be uninhabitable.  The South Orange Building Department was notified.   

An Origin and Cause Investigation was conducted by Headquarters 8-1.  The fire began in the ceiling of the second floor under the roof. 

The Red Cross was notified and is providing temporary accommodations for the residents.