Full Notification

MEDIA RELEASE – FEBRUARY 11, 2013
FATAL HUNTERDON FIRE UNDER INVESTIGATION

Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III and Holland Township Police Chief John Harris are announcing that a fire investigation is underway in Holland Township.
On Sunday, February 10th at 9:53 pm, police, fire, and rescue units were dispatched to Hawk Schoolhouse Road in Holland Township for a reported house fire. Upon arrival, Holland Township Police Officers, units from the Holland Fire Department, and the Milford Holland Rescue Squad determined that there were injuries and entrapment in the dwelling. Other county mutual aid units were requested to respond for the fully involved structure fire.
Responding personnel found 54 year old Charles J. Runge in the front yard. Mr. Runge appeared to have made it outside the house and had sustained significant burns while attempting to get back in to rescue his family. Milford Fire Captain Tim Krause also attempted a rescue and was hospitalized and later released.
According to Prosecutor Kearns, “We deeply regret that one member of the household died at the scene and two other family members are hospitalized in critical condition. The family dog and cat also perished in the fire.”
Susan A. Nash, age 52, perished in the fire, according to the Prosecutor. Charles J. Runge, age 54, and Charles J. Runge, age 11, were air lifted to the Lehigh Valley Hospital Burn Unit and remain in critical condition.
The Prosecutor added, “Our condolences go out to the families.”
The Prosecutor added, “The residence originally was a farm house dating back to 1812 and was primarily heated by a wood burning fire place located in the kitchen area. The preliminary cause of the fire appears to be accidental with the origin related to the fireplace. The investigation is ongoing.”
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Responding Units included Holland Township Fire Company, Milford Holland Rescue Squad, Bloomsbury Resuce Squad, Clinton Fire Department, Quakertown Fire Department, Kingwood Fire Department, Bloomsbury Fire Department, Flemington Fire Department, Glen Gardner Fire Department, Clinton Rescue Squad, Milford Fire Department, Frenchtown Fire Department, Flemington Raritan Rescue Squad, Huntington Fire Company (Warren County), Upper Black Eddy Fire Company (PA), Philipsburg Rescue Squad, Hunterdon Medical Center Paramedics, NJSP NorthStar, and Atlantic Air One. The Hunterdon County Medical Examiner’s Office also responded.
The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office Arson Investigation Unit, the Hunterdon County Arson Task Force, and the New Jersey State Fire Marshal's Office K-9 Unit are investigating.
The Prosecutor also commended the efforts of the volunteer firefighters “We should all be thankful for their courageous service and dedication.”
The Prosecutor also reported that a chimney fire in Bethlehem Township on Friday night was investigated by his office and determined to be accidental.
The Hunterdon County Arson Task Force is comprised of specially trained police officers, volunteer firefighters, as well as HCPO Detectives that respond and investigate suspicious and major fires in the county.
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