A fire early Wednesday displaced an Old Tappan family and torched their house, Old Tappan Deputy Fire Chief David Keil said.
OLD TAPPAN -- A fire early Wednesday displaced an Old Tappan family and torched their house, Old Tappan Deputy Fire Chief David Keil said.
A police officer was first to arrive at the fire at about 1 a.m., Keil said.
There were flames in the basement and smoke throughout the two-story house. The fire spread from the basement, up through the outer walls and to the roof.
Investigators believe the flames may have accelerated after damaging a gas line in the home, Keil said.
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Firefighters initially tried to make their way into the basement, but found the stairs had already burned up. They had to pull out of the house entirely when the living room floor collapsed.
The fire was under control in about two hours, but gutted the basement and roof of the house. A family of four was displaced and is staying with relatives nearby, Keil said.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries. An Old Tappan firefighter was hospitalized for smoke inhalation, and an River Fale firefighter suffered a shoulder injury. They were both released from the hospital.
Several surrounding towns assisted Old Tappan with the blaze, bringing more than 50 firefighters to the scene.
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