Explosion and fire at Monroe Township house

A two-story Monroe Township home was badly damaged by fire yesterday, officials said.

Curtis Patrick, 56, had just parked his 1999 Chrysler sedan in the two-car garage attached to his house and was alone in the kitchen when he heard an explosion in the garage, according to a township police report. After calling 911, Patrick fled the burning home.

Emergency responders arrived to find the garage engulfed in flames and the fire spreading to the rest of the house.

Though the house suffered significant damage, the Williamstown Fire Department extinguished the blaze with the help of other area fire departments, Police Capt. Tony Pace said. There were no injuries. Pace said police would investigate the cause of the explosion.   

- Matthew Spolar