Man Killed, Firefighter Hurt in Lake Mohawk House Blaze

A man was killed and a firefighter suffered second-degree burns in an early-morning blaze that destroyed a Lake Mohawk home Saturday, Sparta Police said.

The man, whose identity was not immediately released, was found dead on the first floor of the two-story lake style home on Heighwood Trail, Sgt. John-Paul Beebe said. The man was the only person home at the time of the fire, which broke out at about 5:30 a.m. Saturday.

Sparta Fire Lt. Anthony Riehl, 37, suffered second-degree burns to his shoulder and back while searching the home for victims, Beebe said. He was treated at St. Barnabas Hospital's Burn Unit and released later in the day.

Officer Craig Grauerholz was the first on the scene and found the home completely engulfed in flames, according to Beebe.

"There was no way Grauerholz or the other responding officers could attempt to get anyone out of the home," Beebe said.

Sparta, Andover and Ogdensburg fire departments battled the blaze for hours before the scene was declared safe.

The home was completely destroyed and a neighboring residence sustained significant damage to the side due to the intense heat, Beebe said.

The Sparta Police Department's Detective Bureau, the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office, New Jersey State Police and the Sussex County Fire Marshal are investigating the cause of the fire.