Man killed in Lake Mohawk house fire

SPARTA — A 67-year-old Sparta homeowner was killed last weekend when his Lake Mohawk home caught on fire.

Robert A. Womack, was found on the floor of his Heighwood Trial residence May 3 after firefighters were able to battle the blaze and enter the structure.

Police received multiple calls around 5:36 a.m. about the fire at the two-story home.

When police arrived, the home was completely engulfed in flames and emergency personnel could not get in the home for several hours, according to the Sparta Police Department.

Sparta firefighter Lt. Anthony Riehl, 37, suffered second-degree burns to his shoulder and back while he searched the home for victims. He was treated at St. Barnabas Hospital before being released.

The cause and origin of the fire has not yet been determined.

Members from the Sparta Police Department’s Detective Bureau, The Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, The Sussex County Fire Marshal and the New Jersey State Police are continuing their joint investigation.

The body of Womack was taken to the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office, where he was identified through dental records, police said. The body was burned beyond recognition, police said.

Womack who lived alone in the home, was employed as a medical technologist for Samaritan Hospital in Suffern New York, according to the Sparta Police Department.

According to police, Womack was never married, had no children and no living relatives other than an aunt who lives out of state.

The aunt was personally notified of the incident at the request of the Sparta Police Department by local law enforcement in her hometown May 4.

The aunt, who is expected to claim the body later this week, has not yet completed final arrangements.