Four fire departments responded to a house fire in Landing between 12 noon and 12:30 p.m. Thursday. There were no injuries, however the family was displaced from their home.
Roxbury Township, Netcong, Mount Arlington and County Road fire departments responded to the fire on 319 Center St. in Roxbury, according to Michael Pellek, Roxbury's fire official. It took an hour for the departments to subdue the fire.
Roxbury fire company was the first to respond to the call, Pellek said, noting no one was in the two story home at the time of the fire.
The blaze began in the living room of the first floor and the room was damaged by smoke and heat that affected the first and second floors, he said.
"They had a very quick knockdown on the fire and there was minimal damage," he said. The cause of the fire is under investigation. He also said that in extinguishing the fire, firefighters "vented the windows" on the first floor of the home.
According to Roxbury Detective Sam Zarro, the call came in at 12:15 p.m. and the fire was extinguished by 1:21 p.m.
The American Red Cross of Northern New Jersey is providing the family with assistance. Although specifics couldn't be provided due to confidentiality, the nonprofit provides families with immediate assistance in emergencies such as these, said Mary Levis, volunteer manager for the Red Cross of Morris and Warren counties.
The Red Cross will typically house disaster victims in hotels, provide the with clothing, food and toiletries depending on the circumstances.
"Just having a toothbrush can make a major difference emotionally. It's the little things our volunteers provide," she said. The Red Cross can then refer families to other agencies who will also assist where needed.
"Families may need eyeglasses or medications," she said.
The Red Cross provides assistance free of charge.
"It's an outright gift from the American people," Levis said.
