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Video (Update): Cigarette Ignites New Milford Townhouse Blaze

UPDATE: Three firefighters had to be treated for heat-related injuries -- one of whom was hospitalized -- after a cigarette ignited a rapidly-spreading blaze that ripped through a townhouse complex in New Milford on Sunday.

Photo Credit: homer218
Flames spread quickly.

Flames spread quickly.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: New Milford PD

Flames broke out on a rear deck of one home, then quickly spread to three others.

Photo Credit: Yaniv Besterman for DAILY VOICE
The view from above.

The view from above.

Photo Credit: Philip Pernice for DAILY VOICE
Aftermath.

Aftermath.

Photo Credit: DAILY VOICE photo
The blaze began on a rear deck.

The blaze began on a rear deck.

Photo Credit: MAIN: Charles Stark for DAILY VOICE / INSET: Donn Stofan Jr. for DAILY VOICE
At the scene.

At the scene.

Photo Credit: James Michael Voorhis for DAILY VOICE
At the scene.

At the scene.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Anthony Michael Molnar
Flames blew through the roof.

Flames blew through the roof.

Photo Credit: Donn Stofan Jr. for DAILY VOICE
The blaze quickly went to four alarms.

The blaze quickly went to four alarms.

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Anthony Michael Molnar
A firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion at the scene.

A firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion at the scene.

Photo Credit: Yaniv Besterman for DAILY VOICE
Fire companies from surrounding towns joined their New Milford colleagues.

Fire companies from surrounding towns joined their New Milford colleagues.

Photo Credit: Charles Stark for DAILY VOICE

The fire quickly spread Sunday, ripping through the New Milford townhouse complex.

Photo Credit: cliffviewpilot.com

The fire rekindled hours later, requiring firefighters to return to fully douse it.

The blaze -- caused by a cigarette -- broke out around 11:40 a.m. at the Canterbury Village homes just off River Road, Police Detective Lt. Kevin Van Saders said.

Two firefighters were treated at the scene, while a third was taken to Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck with injuries that weren't considered life-threatening, the lieutenant said.

A female resident also was treated at the scene, he said.

Flames destroyed the unit where the fire broke out, then quickly spread to two others, Van Saders said.

The fire was doused in roughly 90 minutes, the lieutenant said.

Fire companies from Bergenfield, Closter, Demarest, Dumont, Englewood, Hackensack, Haworth, Maywood, Oradell, Paramus, River Edge, Teaneck and Tenafly assisted their New Milford colleagues.

Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support units from New Milford, River Edge, and Holy Name also responded, as did the New Milford Department of Public Works, New Milford Office of Emergency Management, New Milford Fire inspector and the Red Cross.

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