Fire damages Denville home

DENVILLE - Firefighters from at least six towns battled a fire that caused heavy damage to a home Monday morning in Indian Lake.

One firefighter sustained a minor head injury from falling debris and was taken to Morristown Medical Center for treatment, according to Capt. Paul Nigro of the Denville Police Department.

A family dog was rescued from the home by a neighbor and police, Nigro said. The neighbor, according to Nigro, was sent to St. Clare's Hospital, treated for smoke inhalation and then released.

According to Nigro, police received a call at 8:48 a.m., reporting smoke conditions at a Chestnut Hill Road home about 100 yards from the Denville train station. Heavy smoke could be seen billowing from the top of the large, expanded home with several separate pitched roofs.

By 10 a.m., the fire was under control, although firefighters were still in the home and smoke or steam could be seen coming from the attic.

Firefighters at the scene said the fire, smoke and water caused heavy damage to the attic and the back of the home.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to Nigro.

"It appears to have started in the basement or the back," said Nigro, adding the house is now uninhabitable.

An acquaintance of the home owners at the scene said the couple had just left the home and their children were at school. The home owners were viewed at the scene at 10 a.m. but did not speak to reporters.

Police closed the road to motor traffic at the corners of Southwynde Drive and Longview Trail during the response

The response included firefighters and emergency-medical units from Denville, Rockaway, Boonton, Boonton Township and Parsippany. Emergency units from St. Clare's also came to the scene.

Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-917-9242; wwesthoven@GannettNJ.com.