Crime & Safety

House Fire Started With Christmas Tree, Officials Say

Firefighters quickly douse blaze on Benedict Crescent Thursday afternoon.

A fire that began in the living room of an attached home on Benedict Crescent in The Hills on Thursday afternoon apparently began with a burning Christmas tree near a fireplace, police and the fire chief said at the scene.

The fire was reported shortly after 2 p.m., and firefighters were preparing to leave the scene shortly after 3 p.m. No one was injured in the incident, Bernards Township Police Lt. Mike Voorhees said.

Voorhees said the occupant of the home apparently discovered and reported the fire. He said the exact cause of the fire was under investigation.

Find out what's happening in Basking Ridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Along with the Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department and Lyons Veterans Administration firefighters responded.

Liberty Corner Fire Chief Marc Friedman said that most of the damage in the house was in the living room, where the fire began.

Find out what's happening in Basking Ridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But Friedman said that the entire first floor of the two-story structure had smoke damage, and the home is not habitable.

Rescue squad units also reported to stand by during the firefighting effort.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.