House destroyed by blaze

Cause of blaze is under investigation—

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By: Stephanie Brown
   MONROE — The houses in the Crossings at Monroe were clean and well-maintained Tuesday — all except 55 Linwood Drive.
   The single-family residence stood out among its neighbors — melted vinyl siding, blackened windows, and exposed wooden frame telling the story of a fire that had destroyed the house the night before.
   Officials are investigating the fire, which they say has left the house uninhabitable.
   Fire District 3 Capt. Ray LeBrun said no one was injured in the fire and the residents do have a place to stay.
   He said the township’s three fire districts were dispatched to 55 Linwood Drive at 10:05 p.m. Monday. Mutual aid fire districts also to arrive on the scene were Hightstown, Millstone, East Windsor and Helmetta.
   Monroe Fire District 3 Fire Prevention Bureau and the Monroe Police Detective Bureau are conducting a joint investigation as to the cause of the fire, Capt. LeBrun said.
   Detective Sgt. Lawrence Linke said the fire might have started in the garage.
   Crossings at Monroe is a new development with houses starting at $800,000.
   The homeowner declined to be interviewed.