Elderly woman dies in Readington fire

An elderly woman died in a two-alarm house fire early Saturday morning in Readington.

Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III said in a statement the "dangerous" fire started around 6 a.m. in the house on Higginsville Road in the Three Bridges section, and the home was completely engulfed when firefighters arrived. According to the Readington Volunteer Fire Department, firefighters were hampered by "extreme heat" from the fire.

Once the fire was put out.and firefighters were able to enter the home they found the body of a woman, whose identity has not yet been released.

One firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation, according to Kearns, who said the fire remains under investigation by his office and the Hunterdon County Arson Task Force.

Kearns said firefighters from  the Flagtown Fire Department, Three Bridges Fire Department, Readington Township Fire Department, Raritan Township Fire Department, Hillsborough Fire Department and the Whitehouse First Aid Squad all responded to the blaze.