Officials: Accidental fire on Stanford Drive began on stovetop

SOUTH BRUNSWICK – The South Brunswick Fire Marshal has ruled that a fire that heavily damaged a Stanford Drive home on April 18 was accidental.

Fire investigators determined that the fire started on the stovetop and spread to the rear of the home and second floor, according to a statement released by the South Brunswick Police Department. The fire was reported around 11:57 a.m.

Thirty-five firefighters from the Kendall Park, Monmouth Junction, Kingston, Rocky Hill and Plainsboro fire departments put out the blaze.

“When we arrived, there was heavy fire pushing out the rear of the residence. Our initial crews made and aggressive attack and were able to get water on the seat of the fire quickly. They did a tremendous job in stopping the spread of the fire,” Kendall Park Fire Chief Rob Cioffi said in the statement.

There were no injuries in the fire but the fire left the home uninhabitable, police said. The residents were staying with family in the area as of press time.