The fire broke out at a home on Woodland Road in Demarest shortly before 4 p.m., prompting responses from surrounding agencies, according to the Demarest Police Department and the Cresskill and Dumont fire departments.
Demarest police were called to the residential structure fire at approximately 3:43 p.m., police said. Officers gained entry through a side door and conducted a brief search for anyone who may have been inside, but found no one.
The resident later arrived at the scene and told police no one was inside the home at the time of the fire, according to the department.
Firefighters encountered heavy flames throughout the second floor and attic, according to fire officials. The blaze was placed under control just before 5 p.m.
Demarest Police Chief Visaggio, Lt. Del Greco, and Patrol Officer Polo were transported to Englewood Hospital and evaluated for smoke exposure, according to Demarest police. A member of the Haworth Fire Department was also taken to Englewood Hospital and evaluated for smoke exposure.
The fire also caused reported property damage to two neighboring residences, police said. Those damages were being documented separately.
The Demarest Department of Public Works helped secure the scene, while PSE&G, Veolia, Orange & Rockland, and Demarest fire and building inspectors responded to address utility, safety, and structural concerns, according to police. The Red Cross was also requested to help the tenant with temporary placement, police said.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation, according to Demarest police. No determination regarding the cause had been made as of the department's latest update.
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