September 30, 2023

EDISON, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department announced today that authorities are investigating a fire in which one person perished.

Today, at approximately 5:51 A.M., authorities responded to a residence on Poll Place in Edison following a report of a structure fire. Upon their arrival, first responders located an unresponsive man in an upstairs bedroom, who was a friend of the family that had been staying with them. He has been identified as James Thomas, 71, of Edison. Thomas was transported to JFK Hospital where was pronounced deceased.

The cause of death remains undetermined pending the completion of an autopsy by the Middlesex County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office. No firefighters or police officers were injured.

While the investigation is ongoing, a preliminary investigation indicates that the fire is not suspicious in nature and was accidentally caused.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Mike Geist of the Edison Police Department at 908-421-4741 or Detective Matthew Colonna of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-3354.

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