On January 9, 2010 at 2:59 PM officers responded to a structure fire at 517 E. Price St. Upon arriving with the Linden Fire Department, the fire appeared to have originated in the first floor apartment of 517 E. Price St. and spread to the house next door at 519 E. Price St. The Fire Department, under the direction of Deputy Chief Joseph Dooley, fought the blaze and brought it under control. There were three injuries reported:

Greg Wood, male, age 42, resident, suffered from 2^nd and 3^rd degree burns and was airlifted by NorthStar Medevac helicopter to St. Barnabas Hospital.

Kathy Lesniewski, female, age  40, resident, also suffering from burns and smoke inhalation,  was transported by Rahway EMS to St. Barnabas Hospital.

Ann Wood, female, age 69, resident, suffering from smoke inhalation, was transported by Union EMS to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Rahway.

The fire appears to have originated in a mattress in the first floor apartment and may have been accidentally ignited by a lit cigarette. The investigation is continuing by the Union County Fire Investigation Team and the Union County Sheriff’s Dept. ID Unit, both of whom responded to the scene. The residence at 517 E. Price St. was completely gutted by the blaze.

Detective Lieutenant James Sarnicki

908-474-8551

ALL SUSPECTS ARRESTED ARE CONSIDERED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.