7 left homeless, pet killed by fire caused by candle

Monday, December 07, 2009
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

A dog died and seven residents were left homeless Saturday night as a result of a Jersey City basement fire apparently sparked by an unattended candle, officials said.

Firefighters responding to the two-story building at Bartholdi and Ocean avenues on an 8:27 p.m. alarm found heavy fire in the basement that spread to the first floor before it was under control at 8:57 p.m., Jersey City Fire Director Armando Roman said yesterday.

Three adults and four children were left homeless by the fire, which also claimed the life of the pet in the basement apartment, Roman said.

One of the residents told firefighters they left for a about half hour to run and errand and came back to find their home on fire.

The tenant said a candle was lit in the apartment and she could not remember if it was blown out before they left on the errand, reports said.

Fire department arson investigators responded and determined the fire was accidental, Roman said.