Fire damages abandoned Pequannock house

A vacant house on Pequannock Avenue was heavily damaged by fire Thursday evening. There were no injuries, said Township Manager David Hollberg, who added the Fire Department was aware the house was empty and fought the flames from the exterior.

"They quickly doused the fire from outside, without risking anyone going inside," Hollberg said. The cause of the fire has not been determined and remains under investigation, Hollberg said.

The house, which is privately owned, had been vacant since Tropical Storm Irene struck in 2012. Located in one of the most flood-prone areas of the township, it was set to be demolished, but Hollberg said the town has had difficulty communicating with the out-of-state owners.

http://archive.northjersey.com/news/fire-at-vacant-house-raises-town-issue-1.1140145