Jefferson Township Fire Company # 2, Milton Fire Company # 1 and the Jefferson Twp. Rescue Squad were dispatched shortly after 1 a.m. to the scene of a fully engulfed house fire on Ripplewood Drive, in the Lake Hopatcong section of the New Jersey township.
Several 9-1-1 calls were received from nearby residents. The owner of the raised ranch-style home was not living in the house at the time of the fire, because it was close to being sold.
Capt. Tom Jardines reported heavy fire showing from a single-story wood frame home. Engineer Brian Shatzel requested Picatinny's Fast Team to respond to the scene.
Chief Jim Jacoby Jr. immediately requested several mutual aid tankers from surrounding towns to assist with the blaze. Firefighters from Picatinny, Mt. Arlington, Roxbury, Hopatcong, Sparta and West Milford fire departments responded to the scene. The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes.
Crews remained on scene for several hours extinguishing numerous hot spots during overhaul.
No injuries were reported. Police and fire officials were trying to determine the cause of the blaze. Most of the fire damage centered around the living room area.
