A faulty electrical outlet strip appears to have caused a fatal fire this morning at 49 Forest Avenue in Paramus.
According to authorities, at approximately 6:30 a.m., the Paramus Police Department received a call from a second floor resident of 49 Forest Avenue, reporting a fire in the first floor apartment of the home.
Family members living on the second floor were able to evacuate the burning structure.
Paramus Police quickly arrived to find a heavy smoke and fire condition within the small first floor apartment.
The Paramus Fire Department arrived to combat the fire and located a deceased victim inside the apartment. The victim was later identified as David F. Warde, 77.
During the subsequent investigation, it was determined that the fire was caused by a faulty electrical outlet strip located in a living room area of the apartment.
Authorities said the residence remains uninhabitable at this time.
Prosecutor Grewal states that the investigation is ongoing.