Candle ignited North Brunswick fire

A fire that tore through at least six North Brunswick condominiums and damaged 18 others started by accident when a candle used in a prayer shrine fell into a pile of clothes, police said yesterday.

The candle tipped over as the owner of the first-floor condominium in the Governors Point II complex was completing morning pray ers in his master bedroom about 9 a.m. Tuesday. It ignited the fast- moving blaze that left residents in 24 units temporarily homeless, authorities said.

"We truly believe it was acciden tal," North Brunswick police Lt. Roger Reinson said. Authorities did not release the resident's name.

Witnesses said the flames quickly spread through the second and third floors of the building and to the roof. Police rescued a man from a second-floor unit as well as two girls who crawled out a third- floor window to a police officer on a ladder.

Displaced residents yesterday struggled to put their lives back together.

"It's just that we have nothing," Caroline Posthumies said as she and her fiancé, Nicholas DiGrego rio, stood outside the building and looked at the remains of the second-floor condominium they had shared for three years. It was one of the most badly damaged homes.

"The fire just blew through the building, and we got the worst of it," DiGregorio said.

Along with their clothes and other belongings were photographs and family heirlooms, Posthumies said, "just things you can't replace."

Large parts of the building were damaged, but yesterday -- directly above Posthumies' unit and on a pole taped to the third-floor bal cony railing -- an American flag un touched by flames swayed in the breeze. Beyond the railing, through a sliding glass door could be seen the partly caved-in roof.

Some residents spent Tuesday night with relatives while others were lodged at hotels. The Went worth Group, a West Long Branch company that manages the complex, quickly put a fence around the damaged building and posted security guards.

Steve and Olivia Estrin received vouchers from the American Red Cross to stay at a hotel for three days. After that, "we're going to become hobos living with one relative or another," Steve Estrin said. "You never think that somebody else's stupidity could affect you like that."

Red Cross workers assisted 43 people, including 13 children, in 17 households affected by the fire, agency spokeswoman Diane Concannon said. Five families got hous ing vouchers, and others received food and clothing.

North Brunswick Township is collecting toiletries and gift cards to distribute to the victims.

The Rev. Carl Williamson of the Brunswick Church of Christ, 505 Milltown Road in North Brunswick, is collecting donations. He may be reached at (908) 616-3315.