Cause of Blaze Discovered

A welder's torch apparently sparked a Multi-alarm fire that gutted a portion of a four-story administration building at the Trenton Psychiatric Hospital complex.

The fire, which began around 8 a.m. Tuesday in the Haines Building, is believed to be accidental. Sgt. Al Della Fave, a state police spokesman, said the fire apparently began when the unidentified worker ignited some shingles and underlying material while soldering a gutter.

The fire quickly engulfed the roof of the four-story building, which contains administrative offices, a chapel and maintenance functions, and the few staffers who were there were quickly evacuated.

The facility's 450 patients were never in danger and no employees were injured, said Andy Williams, spokesman for the state Department of Human Services. The hospital serves adult patients with severe mental illnesses who need intensive inpatient care.

More than 250 firefighters from Trenton and surrounding communities fought the blaze. Five firefighters were treated for minor injuries, such as heat exhaustion and twisted ankles, while Battalion Chief Mark Rosen was treated for chest pains.

Author: 6 ABC-AP