Garage Apartment Suffers Heavy Damage From Afternoon Fire

A Wednesday afternoon fire heavily damaged a second floor garage apartment in Long Branch, forcing the tenant from his home.

Long Branch Fire Marshal Kevin Hayes said firefighters were dispatched to 42 North Fifth Avenue at 3:03 p.m. and were able to control the blaze in about 20 minutes.

Hayes said the fire started in the kitchen of the apartment and was caused by unattended cooking that was left on the stove.

He said the tenant was not home at the time of the fire.

The kitchen of the apartment sustained "extensive" damage, according to Hayes. He said the exterior of the building also suffered heavy water, smoke and fire damage.