(02/02/06) BERNARDS ? Four families in Bernards Township are homeless after a fire tore through their townhouse building Thursday.

Resident Bob Marut says he couldn?t do anything as he stood on the street and watched firefighters battle the flames inside his home. Marut hopes he?ll eventually be able to get back inside and recover some items possibly left undamaged by the fire. According to Marut, the only belongings he and his wife currently have outside the house are the clothes on their backs.

Although firefighters were concerned for a time about the building?s firewall, it held up and prevented the flames from spreading further. Residents say the fire started in a chimney. Investigators say that is possible, but they?re going to wait until their probe is complete before making any definite statements.