A house fire displaced seven adults, three children, and three pets from a two-family house in Westville Thursday morning — after a man allegedly poured lighter fluid on the building and then started the blaze.
That fire took place at around 9:58 a.m. at 1226 Whalley Ave., a two-and-a-half story home between Dayton Street and West Prospect Street.
Top city fire investigator Doug Wardlaw told the Independent that, fortunately, no residents or firefighters were injured during the blaze. American Red Cross is helping seven adults and three children find temporary shelter after being displaced by the fire.
Wardlaw also said the city fire department and police department spoke at the scene with a witness who said he saw a man pouring what appeared to be lighter fluid for a grill onto the house, and then igniting the fire.
“The police did attempt to apprehend the gentleman, and were unsuccessful at this time,” Wardlaw said. “The investigation is still open.”
Wardlaw said the fire caused a fair amount of damage to the exterior of the building.
“The fire was ignited at the ‘B side’ of the property” — that is, the left side when viewed from the street — “and extended into the kitchen area.”
State police are helping city police with the ongoing investigation.
The two-family home is owned by an affiliate of local megalandlord Mandy Management.
A person who starts a fire is an arsonist not a gentleman.