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Wayne Pait, who lived at the home, was identified as the victim, Sparta police said.
First responders arrived at 132 Sawmill Road at 8:24 a.m. and found smoke billowing from the residence, Sparta police said. Upon arrival, they were informed a resident was still inside the home but officers were blocked from entering the home due to heavy smoke and fire, police said.
Three family members were able to get out of the home with the assistance of patrols and were transported to a nearby hospital to be evaluated for smoke inhalation and minor burns, police said.
Two patrol officers were evaluated on scene for minor smoke inhalation and were determined to be okay and returned to work immediately, police said.
The fire was determined to be accidental, Sparta Deceives and Sussex County Prosecutors Office said. According to detectives and arson investigators, the fire may have originated from an LED flashlight that was accidentally left illuminated overnight. The heat from the flashlight is believed to have ignited a small rug, leading the fire to spread to the rest of the room’s furnishings while Pait was asleep, authorities said.
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