Second Street Fire Ruled Accidental

The fire was an accident and the cause was a lit cigarette, according to the South Orange Fire Department (SOFD) report of the event provided by Chief Jeff Markey. On Thursday afternoon, the  SOFD responded to a fire at 102 Second Street.  Headquarters 8-1, 8-2, Truck 8-1 and Engine 8-5 were dispatched.

A fire was discovered under the rear wooden porch and stairs leading to the second floor apartment.  Engine 8-5 was assigned to extinguish the fire under the porch.  Truck 8-1 was assigned assist with the extinguishment.  No one was home during the fire.

The fire was extinguished quickly. However, since the porch was inaccessible to the public and no one was home at the time of the fire, the South Orange Police Department Detective Squad was called in to photograph the scene.

An Origin and Cause investigation was conducted by SOFD 8-1 and the Essex County Arson Squad.  The fire began under the porch and was caused by smoking materials. It was determined to be an accident.