NORTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and North Plainfield Chief of Police William Parenti announced the status of an on-going investigation into a residential fire on Maple Avenue, North Plainfield, New Jersey.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Tuesday, at approximately 2:40 a.m., North Plainfield Fire Department and North Plainfield Police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a residential fire on Maple Avenue.
The fire was a three-alarm fire. Fire companies from North Plainfield, Bridgewater/Finderne, Bound Brook, Green Brook, Watchung, Warren, Plainfield and South Plainfield responded to extinguish the residential fire. Emergency medical personnel from North Plainfield, Watchung, Union County Rehab and Dunellen also responded to the scene to render aid.
Officers from the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist North Plainfield Police in securing the scene.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit along with North Plainfield Police, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Fire Investigation Unit and Fire Officials from North Plainfield are on the scene conducting the fire investigation which remains open.
An origin and cause has not been released by investigators and is still under investigation, the fire has been categorized as suspicious.
Three residential structures were damaged with two families being displaced. All of the occupants of the residences were uninjured.
One firefighter sustained minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital and has since been released.
Authorities are questioning an individual whom police are not identifying in relation to the fire.