Amateur Exterminator Sets South Street Home on Fire

A South Street homeowner was trying to burn a bee’s nest when he accidentally set fire to his roof and attic late Monday night, Red Bank Fire Department Chief John Mego said.

Authorities were called just after 9:30 p.m. for reports of a fire in the first block of South Street where they found heavy smoke coming from the roof and attack windows. While crews entered the house to attack the fire with water, other fire fighters took to the roof to cut holes to ease the process.

The fire was knocked down at about 10:15 p.m. and deemed under control about 15 minutes later. Crews remained onsite well after, dousing hot patches and helping clean up some of the water used to put out the blaze.

No injuries were reported in the fire. The homeowner, identified as Peter Chan in property records, was alone at the time and was able to escape the house before being trapped.

No damage to adjacent homes was reported.

The smell of smoke was apparent long after the fire was extinguished several blocks away from the site of the fire.

Multiple Red Bank fire companies responded to the fire. Fire crews from Fort Monmouth and Fair Haven assisted them. Red Bank Rescue Squad was also on hand providing assistance, as were emergency medical personnel from Fair Haven.

Make sure to check out the above video for a look at how Red Bank fire fighters helped extinguish the fire.