Community
INCIDENT: 2019-31313 Residential Structure Fire
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 11/29/2019 at 5:56 am
LOCATION OCCURRED: Princeton Junction (Princeton-Hightstown Road Residence)
OWNER: 56 year old W/M
Resident of West Windsor, NJ 08550
LESSEE: 67 year old W/M
Resident of West Windsor, NJ 08550
OFFICERS: 1) Ptl. C. Knox #77
2) Ptl. W. Silcox #87—Investigating Officer
3) Ptl. T. Hojnacki #90
OTHERS INVOLVED:
DETAILS: At 0556 Hours on this date, Patrol Units, Stations #43 & #44, and Squad #45 were detailed to a structure fire at a residence on Princeton-Hightstown Road. Dispatch advised that the residence was filled with smoke, which may have been coming from the kitchen. Ptl. Knox and Ptl. Hojnacki were first on scene. After ensuring that all occupants & pets had evacuated the residence, Ptl. Knox and Ptl. Hojnacki went to the rear where it appeared the fire/smoke condition was heaviest. Smoke was escaping the rear door & windows, and the Officers could see the stove in the kitchen was engulfed in flames. Using their fire extinguishers, Ptl. Knox and Ptl. Hojnacki knocked down the flames. Shortly afterward, Ptl. Silcox arrived on scene to assist his fellow Officers. Ptl. Hojnacki saw the flames had reignited on the wall behind the stove and used another fire extinguisher to put the fire out for good.
Stations 43 & 44 arrived on scene and determined that the fire had been fully extinguished. The Firefighters removed the stove and damaged dry wall from the residence. Stations 43 & 44 also began ventilating the residence which sustained smoke damage throughout.
It should be noted that the residents had woken up to the sound of their fire alarms and the house filled with smoke. They quickly evacuated and called 911. There were no reported injuries to the residents, Officers, First Responders or pets. Squad #45 is still investigating the cause of the fire although it’s not considered to be suspicious at this time.
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*Please note that charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: Lt. Lee #359
DATE OF RELEASE: 11/29/2019
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*Please note that charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
**WWPD PRESS RELEASE: Residential Structure Fire 11/29/2019 at 5:56 am Inc. 2019-31313 Issued by Lt. Lee
PRESS INFORMATION
INCIDENT: 2019-31313 Residential Structure Fire
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 11/29/2019 at 5:56 am
LOCATION OCCURRED: Princeton Junction (Princeton-Hightstown Road Residence)
OWNER: 56 year old W/M
Resident of West Windsor, NJ 08550
LESSEE: 67 year old W/M
Resident of West Windsor, NJ 08550
OFFICERS: 1) Ptl. C. Knox #77
2) Ptl. W. Silcox #87—Investigating Officer
3) Ptl. T. Hojnacki #90
OTHERS INVOLVED:
- West Windsor Volunteer Fire Company (Station #43)
- Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Company (Station #44)
- West Windsor Division of Fire & Emergency Services (Squad #45)
DETAILS: At 0556 Hours on this date, Patrol Units, Stations #43 & #44, and Squad #45 were detailed to a structure fire at a residence on Princeton-Hightstown Road. Dispatch advised that the residence was filled with smoke, which may have been coming from the kitchen. Ptl. Knox and Ptl. Hojnacki were first on scene. After ensuring that all occupants & pets had evacuated the residence, Ptl. Knox and Ptl. Hojnacki went to the rear where it appeared the fire/smoke condition was heaviest. Smoke was escaping the rear door & windows, and the Officers could see the stove in the kitchen was engulfed in flames. Using their fire extinguishers, Ptl. Knox and Ptl. Hojnacki knocked down the flames. Shortly afterward, Ptl. Silcox arrived on scene to assist his fellow Officers. Ptl. Hojnacki saw the flames had reignited on the wall behind the stove and used another fire extinguisher to put the fire out for good.
Stations 43 & 44 arrived on scene and determined that the fire had been fully extinguished. The Firefighters removed the stove and damaged dry wall from the residence. Stations 43 & 44 also began ventilating the residence which sustained smoke damage throughout.
It should be noted that the residents had woken up to the sound of their fire alarms and the house filled with smoke. They quickly evacuated and called 911. There were no reported injuries to the residents, Officers, First Responders or pets. Squad #45 is still investigating the cause of the fire although it’s not considered to be suspicious at this time.
**************
*Please note that charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: Lt. Lee #359
DATE OF RELEASE: 11/29/2019
**************
*Please note that charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Address/Location
West Windsor Police Department, NJ
271 Clarksville Rd
West Windsor Township, NJ 08550
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 609-799-1222
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