Morris County officials confirmed an active investigation into a fire that occurred early in the morning hours of August 5 on Normandy Heights Road in Morris Township.
Morris County officials said that at approximately 2:52 a.m., the Morris Township Police and Fire Departments were notified of an active fire at a residence on Normandy Heights Road in Morris Township. Responders immediately undertook fire suppression efforts, and the fire was extinguished.
According to officials, repeated efforts by firefighters to enter the burning structure to search for victims were unsuccessful due to the extensive scope of the conflagration. The preliminary, unconfirmed investigation has revealed the possibility that the fire resulted in two fatalities.
The known residents are identified as Mr. Robert Ricciardi, 87, and Ms. Gemma Ricciardi, 85.
The search continues by the investigative agencies to conduct potential victim recovery and the cause and origin of the inferno.
Multiple law enforcement and emergency agencies responded to and are present at the scene. The circumstances of the fire remain under investigation and no additional information will be released at this time.