Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Roxbury Police Chief Dean Adone confirm an active investigation into a fatal fire that occurred the afternoon of December 19, 2023, on Mooney Road in the Township of Roxbury, New Jersey.
At approximately 1 p.m. on December 19, 2023, the Roxbury Police and Fire Departments were notified of an active fire at a residence located on Mooney Road in the Ledgewood section of Roxbury. Upon arrival, first responders located a resident, a 71-year-old man, who had self-extricated from the building. He was subsequently transported to an area hospital for treatment of severe fire-related injuries.
Responding fire departments included Roxbury, Mount Olive, Chester, Mount Arlington, Morris Plains, Mine Hill, Hopatcong, Wharton, Stanhope, Byram, Ralston, Picatinny, Dover, and Parsippany. Following extensive fire suppression efforts, a second resident, a 98-year-old woman, was subsequently located deceased inside of the residence. The Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct a post-mortem examination.
As a result of the fire, the residence partially collapsed and is uninhabitable.
The incident remains under investigation by the Roxbury Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes and Arson/Environmental Crimes units.
The incident is not considered suspicious at this point in the investigation.
Chief Adone said, “I wanted to personally thank our Roxbury Fire Department and the firefighters and EMS personnel who came from surrounding towns to assist us yesterday. We understand the impact such a loss can have on the community. We ask for respect and privacy for the family, as they mourn the loss of their loved one and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and all those impacted by this loss.”
Prosecutor Carroll said, “I echo the sentiments of Chief Adone. This is a tragic event in our county. Myself and the members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office offer our deepest condolences to the victims, and their family and friends. I want to commend the courageous firefighters of the Roxbury Fire Department, as well as all the firefighters and EMS personnel from surrounding towns who responded to this dangerous call.”
