NJ Home Destroyed After Vehicle Crashes Through, Striking Gas Line
By Jan Carabeo
PENNSVILLE, NJ (CBS) -- Flames erupted when a truck crashed into a home in Pennsville, Salem County Thursday morning.
This happened on the corner of Hook Road and Dunlap Avenue.
Chief Allen Cummings with Pennsville Police says, "The car apparently struck a gas line in the front of the house, so the house immediately became engulfed in flames. We had to wait for the gas company to help put the gas part of the fire out."
No one was injured, but the damage was done.
A husband and wife who were asleep in a back bedroom got out with their lives, but little else.
They tell Eyewitness News they lived there for 50 years and had just started renovating.
Just after 4 a.m., that all changed when a truck rear-ended another car on North Hook Road.
"We're not sure what caused the collision, but apparently the second vehicle that drove into the residence here, the truck might have made an attempt to pass the vehicle or go around the vehicle," says Chief Allen Cummings.
Once the truck drove off the road, it barely missed the first house on the corner, driving between a tree and a nearby fire hydrant.
Then it took out the stop sign and finally crashed into the living room.
"The home is destroyed. At this point, they'll probably have to destroy the house." Chief Cummings says.
Police say the driver, identified as Pennsville resident Joshua Fisher, 31, was not under the influence. He was arrested and charged with reckless driving, improper passing and interfering for providing false information.
In the meantime, as the driver's truck was towed away, the family tried to salvage whatever was left.
The Red Cross is assisting them with a place to stay until they can figure out the next step.