The Hopewell Township Police Department, along with the Hopewell Fire Department, responded to a Cotswald Lane address for the report of a structure fire.
The fire was called in by a neighbor who noticed flames coming from the roof of the two story home. A second neighbor alerted the homeowner, who was on the first floor of the residence, to the fire on the roof. The homeowner, who was home alone, was able to evacuate the residence to safety. Officers arrived to find the roof of the home on fire.
The Hopewell Fire Department, under the command of Deputy Chief Will Mullen,* along with the Pennington Fire Company, Union Fire Company and Rescue, Lawrenceville Fire Department, Lawrence Road Fire Company, Pennington Road Fire Company, West Trenton Fire Company, Montgomery Township Volunteer Fire Company #1, Montgomery Volunteer Fire Company #2, and the Rocky Hill Fire Department assisted with fighting the fire.
The Hopewell Rescue Squad, Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad, Signal 22 and the Mercer County Communications vehicle also assisted at the scene.
The home suffered fire damage, as well as heat, smoke and water damage throughout. It was left uninhabitable.
While the fire appears to be accidental in nature, this incident remains under investigation by Hopewell Township Police Department Detective Michael Sherman, Hopewell Valley Emergency Services Specialist Ashley Coble, and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
There were no reported injuries on scene.
Updated: 2/16/15 to reflect correction of prior report that Chief Novak was in command. Chief Novak arrived on scene later and assisted with water operations.
