By Caitlin Brown
MIDDLETOWN- A Middletown family has been left displaced after their house caught fire Sunday morning, according to fire officials.
The Middletown Township Fire Department was dispatched to a Southview Terrace South home in the Old Village section of the Township at approximately 8:37 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, for reports of a “smoke condition”, according to Middletown Township Fire Department spokesman John Isaksen.
Approximately 70 firefighters from five companies of the Middletown Township Fire Department- Old Village, Middletown, Belford Independent, Belford Engine, and Community Fire Companies- under the command of Department Chief Rick Hibell, responded to the scene, according to Isaksen.
Middletown police units were the first on scene, and observed smoke coming the side of the chimney on a two and a half story residence. Upon arrival, First Assistant Fire Chief Tony Citarella confirmed a working fire in the master bedroom on the second floor of the home. Crews from the Old Village Fire Company deployed hoses through the front door to attack the fire, according to Isaksen.
The fire spread from the master bedroom through the second floor, and into the attic before firefighters were able to extinguish it. There was extensive smoke and water damage throughout the house, resulting in authorities deeming the residence uninhabitable.
All residents had evacuated the home safely before emergency response units arrived, and there were no injuries reported during the incident, Isaksen said.
Chief Hibell declared the fire under control at 9:10 a.m., with the last units leaving the scene by 11:10 a.m.
The Red Cross has provided emergency shelter for the residents.
Chief Hibell declared the fire under control by 9:10 AM.  The last units left the scene by 11:10 AM.
Also assisting on scene were the Middletown Township Fire Department Air Support Unit, and the Fairview and Middletown First Aid Squads.
The fire is currently under investigation by the Middletown Township Fire Prevention office.
