Eight Displaced by Fire in Mahwah

Eight people were displaced when a fast-moving fire destroyed a northern New Jersey town home and severely damaged two adjoining units.

The cause of the fire in Mahwah remains under investigation, but authorities tell The Record that the fire appears to have been electrical in nature. No injuries were reported.

The fire was reported around 3:45 a.m. Monday, when a firefighter who lives in the development smelled smoke and saw flames coming from a nearby town home.

The dense smoke from the blaze initially made it difficult for firefighters to determine which unit was on fire. But the fire was extinguished in about 40 minutes.

It was not clear where the displaced residents -- five adults and three children -- were being housed.

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