LAWRENCE: Stove causes garage fire

By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
   The garage behind an Oaklyn Terrace residence was destroyed by a fire Nov. 28 that was apparently caused by a wood-burning stove in the garage, according to Lawrence Township Fire Marshal Dale Robbins.
   The fire, which was reported at 5:33 p.m., destroyed the garage and damaged a 1995 Ford Bronco that was parked nearby, plus a riding lawnmower, a snowplow and assorted tools inside the garage. Damage to the sport utility vehicle and the contents of the garage was estimated at $13,900, according to police reports.
   A resident of the home at 186 Oaklyn Terrace went out to the garage in the morning and started up the wood-burning stove, and then left the house, Mr. Robbins said. When he returned home around 5:30 p.m., he saw smoke coming from the garage.
   The resident opened the garage door to investigate and saw flames, Mr. Robbins said. Opening the garage door let in more air, which made the fire grow. Firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes and found the garage fully involved in fire, but they knocked down the flames in about 20 minutes, he said.
   Volunteer firefighters from the Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville and Slackwood fire companies responded to the fire, along with the Lawrence Township Emergency Medical Services. Firefighters stayed on the scene for several hours, ensuring that the fire was extinguished. All that was left of the garage were three cinderblock walls, Mr. Robbins said.