Fire officials in Maplewood are investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed a house in the township early Christmas morning.
The fast-moving blaze ignited inside a two and a half story wood-framed house located at 28 Hilton Avenue just after 12:30 a.m.
Swift responding Maplewood firefighters arrived at the scene and found smoke and flames coming from the home that has occupied residences on both sides.
Crews focused their attention on the second floor of the house, where fire appeared to extend from the lower level causing significant damage to the inside.
Firefighters placed the fire under control in just under an hour with the cause under investigation.
UPDATE 8:22pm: Maplewood Police Chief DeVaul stated that the property was vacant.