Major Fire Under Investigation in Morris Township, New Jersey

Published on August 05, 2022

Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detective Christoph Kimker, Sheriff James Gannon, and Morris Township Police Chief Robert Shearer confirm an active investigation into a fire that occurred early in the morning hours of August 5, 2022 on Normandy Heights Road in Morris Township, New Jersey.

At approximately 2:52 a.m. on August 5, 2022, the Morris Township Police and Fire Departments were notified of an active fire at a residence located on Normandy Heights Road in Morris Township.  Fire suppression efforts were immediately undertaken by responders and the fire was extinguished. Repeated efforts by firefighters to enter the burning structure to search for victims were unsuccessful due to the extensive scope of the conflagration. 

The preliminary, unconfirmed investigation has revealed the possibility that the fire resulted in two fatalities.  The known residents are identified as Robert Ricciardi (age 87) and Gemma Ricciardi (age 85). The search continues by the investigative agencies to conduct  potential victim recovery, and cause and origin of the inferno.

Multiple law enforcement and emergency agencies responded to and are present at the scene.  The circumstances of the fire remain under investigation and no additional information will be released at this time. 

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