At 11:16 a.m. this morning, Roselle Park Police responded to several 9-1-1 calls reporting a house fire on the 600 block of Chestnut Street. Upon arrival, Patrolmen Robert Sobocinski and Nicholas Vaughan observed flames coming through the roof of a single family house located at 608 Chestnut Street. The officers forced entry through the rear door in an attempt to locate the residents. A quick search of the first and second floors revealed no occupants. The officers were forced to retreat due to the heat and smoke in the house and were unable to search the attic area. The Roselle Park Fire Department responded and battled the fire for over two (2) hours. RPFD was assisted at the scene by the Kenilworth, Elizabeth, and Union Fire Departments. No injuries were reported during the incident.
The cause of the fire is undetermined and it is currently under investigation by the Union County Arson Squad.
Photo courtesy of Matthew Ryan.