Early Tuesday fire destroys Sparta home

SPARTA ‑ It took firefighters more than five hours to battle and clear a fast moving fire that destroyed a four-story Sparta Home early Tuesday morning.

At 4:53 am, residents saw the bright glow of the fire and the heavy smell of smoke that had completely engulfed the home located at 7 Rocky Terrace, according to a Sparta Police Department news release.

The fire which could be seen from the other side of Lake Mohawk generated multiple police calls from homeowners along East Shore Trail and surrounding roads, according to the release.

The home was being renovated at the time of the blaze and was not occupied, police said.

No injuries were reported, according to police.

Local Fire Departments assisting the Sparta Fire Department with the blaze were Newton, Andover, Ogdensburg and Jefferson Township.

Along with the fast moving flames, local firefighters also battled single digit temperatures that resulted in a quick build-up of ice on equipment and the roadway.

By noon, firefighters had cleared the scene.

Sparta Det. Keith Hannam is being assisted at the scene by Sussex County Fire Marshal Joseph Inga and Detectives from the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office in the ongoing investigation.