Natural Gas Eyed in Fabyan Pl. Fire

Natural gas played what officials called a significant role in a two-alarm fire Wednesday evening inside a vacant home in Newark.

Firefighters arrived to a heavy fire at 12-14 Fabyan Pl., an empty two-story home in the city's South Ward, around 6:43 p.m., according to Capt. John Brown, spokesperson for the Newark Fire Department. The fire spread to the adjacent 16 Fabyan Pl., an occupied home, causing heavy damage to the roof.

Brown said a total of 55 firefighters battled the blaze, which was extinguished an hour later. The cause is under investigation but natural gas played a significant role in the fire, said Brown.

Four adults and one child were displaced and assisted Wednesday evening by the American Red Cross.

Brown said 12-14 Fabyan Pl., which is currently leaning against 16 Fabyan Pl., will have to be demolished.

No one was injured in the fire, Brown said.