Roxbury House Fire
Roxbury House Fire  
Podcast: OpenMHz
Published On: Wed Nov 04 2026
Description: Wed, Nov 4 6:55 AM → 10:06 AM Roxbury Police Fire EMS responded to 2 Alarm House Fire Chester Mine Hill Wharton Randolph Fire responded. Smoke detectors may have saved the lives of four Roxbury residents early Wednesday morning when a fire broke out in their homes garage awakening the family in time to escape according to township fire officials.The fire reported at about 155 a.m. at 23 Mildred Terrace in the townships Mooney Mountain neighborhood caused extensive damage to the house and destroyed two vehicles. One of the familys three dogs and one of its two cats died in the blaze and one resident sustained minor burns to his hands authorities said. Roxbury Fire Official Mark Sylvester said the family a mother father and their two adult sons was alerted to the danger when one of the residents heard smoke detectors sounding downstairs. The resident discovered heavy smoke coming from the garage area awakened the other family members and helped get everyone safely out of the house Sylvester said. Smoke alarms really saved their lives Sylvester said.He said the fire might have spread to the second floor had the alarms not alerted the family particularly given the time of night. These people are very blessed they were able to get out Sylvester said.Firefighters Encounter Heavy FlamesRoxbury Fire Chief Tommy Bilancia said he requested a second-alarm assignment while responding to the fire after dispatchers reported receiving multiple calls. The first firefighter on the scene Bilancia found heavy flames coming from the garage. Police officers had already arrived.After surveying the exterior of the house Bilancia alerted incoming firefighters to the extent of the blaze. He also used a fire extinguisher before the first fire engine arrived but said it had little effect.Firefighters quickly stretched a hose line and began attacking the flames knocking down the bulk of the fire before it could spread throughout the house Bilancia said. Firefighters from all three Roxbury fire stations responded along with mutual aid from Flanders and Chester. Netcong firefighters provided a rapid intervention team to assist in the event of a firefighter emergency. Bilancia said firefighters used a nearby hydrant to supply water. It took approximately 45 minutes to an hour to extinguish the fire. No firefighters were injured. Although firefighters prevented the flames from spreading extensively into the living areas the house sustained significant smoke damage Sylvester said. He said most of the familys belongings are not salvageable. A pickup truck parked in the garage was destroyed as was another vehicle parked in the driveway. Sylvester said the amount of plastic and other combustible material in modern vehicles contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. He said fire-rated doors separating the garage from the house helped contain the blaze.One of the residents sustained minor burns to his hands while attempting to open the garage door and was treated by emergency medical personnel Sylvester said.Sylvester said the fire originated in a specific area of the garage but its cause remains under investigation by his office with assistance from the Roxbury Police Department.He praised the firefighters for containing the blaze and police officers for their efforts at the scene. The fire was the second significant garage fire in Roxbury in recent months Sylvester said. Another occurred in Landing about three months ago although that blaze did not involve a vehicle.The family planned to stay with relatives according to Bilancia. Radio Systems: - Morris County P25 700MHz