The house was unoccupied when it caught fire. The cause of the fire is undetermined, but not suspicious.
By: Charlie Olsen
A rented cottage on River Road was rendered uninhabitable by a fire Sunday evening, leaving Ventrice Dyer and her two children without a home.
The fire was reported at 5:44 p.m. When officers arrived they observed smoke and flames billowing from the residence.
"It was already well under way by the time we got there it was totally destroyed," Fire Marshal John Yanko said. "They lost everything."
The house was unoccupied when it caught fire, police said. No one was hurt. According to Mr. Yanko, the cause of the fire is undetermined, but not suspicious. The area where the fire was started was the back bedroom, but the fire investigation is ongoing.
According to Social Services Director Tamas Ormosi, Ms. Dyer and her two children, a 12-year-old and a 14-year-old, are staying in temporary housing in a local hotel.
"We’re working with county social services to find lodging for the next couple days," Mr. Ormosi said. "We’ve got to find a house or apartment she’s still out in the cold, so to speak."
According to police, River Road was closed for four hours while responding units, the Hillsborough Township Police and Fire Departments, dealt with the fire.
To help Ms. Dyer get back on her feet, Mr. Ormosi said, they are establishing a 714 River Road Fire Fund. To donate, deliver or send a check to the Social Services Department in the municipal complex, indicating on the check the name of the fund.