Firefighters Battle House Fire in West Orange

Three people were injured as firefighters battled a house fire in West Orange this weekend.

Friday night firefighters fought the two-alarm fire at a two-family home on Watson Avenue, according to West Orange Township officials. Two occupants of the home and one West Orange firefighter were injured in the blaze, which was reported shortly before 10:30 p.m. on Friday, May 22 at 155 Watson Ave, township officials said.

The fire originated in 155 Watson Ave. and then spread to a neighboring home.

West Orange authorities rescued an 81-year-old woman and her 60-year-old son from a rear balcony at the scene, officials said. The woman suffered from smoke inhlation and was taken to St. Barnabas Medical Center for treatment.

A West Orange Fire Department captain suffered second-degree burns to both of his wrists while battling the blaze. He, too, was taken to St. Barnabas Medical Center for treatment. He was released shortly later.

Firefighters from numerous nearby towns responded to the house fire, including Orange, South Orange, Montclair, Irvington, Millburn and Maplewood. The fire was contained in about two hours.

Authorities said the cause of the fire in under investigation.