EAST HANOVER — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Investigations Stephen F. Wilson, Jr. and Chief Christopher F. Cannizzo of the East Hanover Police Department confirm the investigation of a fire occurring at 12 Kimble Place, East Hanover, on Friday, January 4.
At approximately 7:57 p.m., police and fire officials were dispatched to 12 Kimble Place on a report of a residential fire. Responders located an active fire to a single-family dwelling.
The investigation has revealed that the origin of the fire was the living room area of the residence. Robert Dundermen, 78, and Cynthia Dundermen, 75, residents of the dwelling, expired during the course of the fire. The Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office has determined the manners of death to be accidental.
Firefighters arrived at the scene and observed a fully engulfed fire ripping through a house according to fire officials. Fire crews were able to extinguish some of the fire in order to get into the structure where they reportedly found two unconscious and unresponsive victims inside. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Firemen were ordered to exit the structure due to partial structure collapse of the home.
East Hanover Volunteer Fire Department, Roseland Volunteer Fire Department, Livingston Fire Department, Cedar Knolls Fire Department, Whippany Fire Department, Hanover Township Fire Department, East Hanover Police Department, Roseland Police Department and Parsippany Police Department was at the scene.
At this time, the cause of the fire does not appear to be suspicious in nature and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office does not anticipate any criminal charges being filed.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the East Hanover Police Department, the East Hanover Fire Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Fire/Environmental Unit, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, and all other mutual aid providers for their efforts in this matter.
