New Jersey Man Killed After Tree Falls Through Roof

HOPATCONG, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A northern New Jersey man was killed after a tree fell through his roof Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

Hopatcong Police Lt. Thomas Kmetz told the The New Jersey Herald that the victim was sitting in a recliner in his living room around 3:20 p.m. when a massive tree fell through the roof and fatally struck him.

The man, whose name was not released, was in his early 60's, police said.

Two dogs in the home were unharmed.

According to Kmetz, electrical wires brought down by the tree also sparked a small fire.

A police officer who responded to the scene was treated at a nearby hospital for smoke inhalation.

Meteorologists said wind gusts in Hopatcong reached 35 mph Thursday.

It is unclear if officials were blaming the incident on the strong winds that whipped through New Jersey, but winds were damaging elsewhere in the state.

In Park Ridge, N.J., police said two power poles snapped after winds knocked down a tree on Broadway. The street had to be closed as crews fixed the poles, chopped up the massive tree and removed it from the scene.

A Bed Bath & Beyond was evacuated in Flanders, N.J., after police said high winds lifted off a small section of the roof. Debris damaged some gas lines, which sparked a small fire that was quickly extinguished by firefighters, Mt. Olive Police Officer Mike Russell told 1010 WINS.

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