Ashtray dumped in garbage starts fire that heavily damages Monroe house
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Ashtray dumped in garbage starts fire that heavily damages Monroe house
A fire burned through a home in the Clearbrook adult community Monday morning after the resident dumped an ashtray into the garbage, police said.
Fire, police and EMS personnel responded to 491A Delair Road at about 11 a.m. after a neighbor reported seeing smoke and flames coming from the unit, Detective Robert Bennett said in a news release.
The fire was under control within the hour, and officials determined the blaze was
caused accidentally when George Sweitzer, 85, emptied his pipe into an ash tray and emptied the ash tray into the garbage, eventually starting the fire.
Sweitzer, who lives alone, tried to put out the fire himself but was unsuccessful,
Bennett said. He suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to Princeton Medical Center for evaluation.
Bennett said the house was heavily damaged after flames burned through most of the back side.