Residential Structure Fire with Injuries
Chief M Richards
On Saturday January 27, 2018 at 6:26 am, Newton Police received a 9-1-1 call from a passerby reporting a house on fire and patrols immediately responded to the area and found a structure fire at 75 Trinity Street, which is a two-family dwelling consisting of an upstairs and downstairs apartment. Upon arrival, Patrolman Russell Post and Patrolman Jose Morales observed thick smoke and flames coming from the residence. The downstairs tenants, Ruth Pellek (age 35), Jason Staton (age 38), and their two young children (female age 1 and male age 6) were already out of the apartment. Patrolman Morales attempted to climb the stairs leading to the 2nd floor apartment, but due to the heavy smoke and fire, he was unable do to so.
As Patrolman Morales exited the apartment, both he and Patrolman Post observed two people, William Thogode (age 57) and his friend Melanie Griffiths (age 41), exit a window and were standing on the roof of the front covered porch, which is approximately 12 feet off the ground. Patrolman Post positioned his patrol vehicle next to the porch and both Officers assisted Thogode and Griffiths off the porch roof onto the roof of the patrol vehicle and to safety.
Before escaping the fire, Thogode suffered 2nd degree burns to his head along with smoke inhalation. He was transported to the Newton Medical Center where he was subsequently transported to Saint Barnabas Medical Center. Thogode was listed in critical but stable condition.
Sussex County Assistant Fire Marshalls responded to the scene along with Detectives from the Newton Police Department and the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office. The investigation revealed the specific cause of the fire is undetermined and not suspicious, originating between the floor joists of the ceiling dividing the first and second floors.
Newton Fire Department responded to the scene and were assisted by the Andover Fire Department and Byram Fire Department. The Hampton and Fredon Fire Departments were on stand-by at Newton Firehouse #1. Newton First Aid Squad and Atlantic Ambulance responded to the scene and Lakeland and Stillwater Ambulance were on stand-by.
