Red Bank home gutted by fire

RED BANK — A fire caused substantial damage to a West Sunset Avenue residence last week, according to local fire officials.

The Borough Fire Department responded to a report of a blaze occurring at 52 West Sunset Ave. at approximately 1 p.m. last Friday, said First Deputy Fire Chief Frank E. Woods.

The borough’s police department received numerous reports from area residents concerning the fire and were notified by former fire chief and borough employee Bruce McDonald, who was first on the scene, according to Woods.

The department responded with what Woods labeled a full complement — two ladder trucks, five engines and between 35 and 40 members of the department, plus members of the borough’s emergency medical service.

The cause of the blaze is still under investigation, according to Woods and Fire Marshal Stanley Sickels.

However, what is currently known is that the fire is believed to have started on the first floor, in the family room, in the area of the television equipment.

"It gutted the first floor," Sickels said.

The building to the east of the fire site also experienced some damage to its vinyl siding, caused by radiant heat, according to the fire marshal.

The home, which is owned by Jeanne and James Wilson, was unoccupied at the time of the fire, according to officials.

"We’re OK; everybody’s good," said Jeanne Wilson, who was out having lunch with her son at the time of the fire.

Wilson said she would rather not comment any further.

No injuries were reported at the scene, Woods said.

— John Burton