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Bergen explosion fire quickly snuffed

An explosion apparently caused by paint fumes injured a Hillsdale homeowner and ignited a basement blaze quickly snuffed by firefighters, Police Chief Chip Stalter said.

Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot


PHOTO by Tracy Jeffery

Police Officers Brian McKeever and Bill Diedtrich, both volunteer firemen, converged on the house at 21 Plymouth Road with members of the Hillsdale Fire Department after getting several 911 calls around 7 p.m., Stalter said.

While one tended to the homeowner outside, the other made sure the house was empty, as smoke poured from the basement, he said.

The homeowner had slight burns on his face and was taken to the hospital, the chief said.

Within moments, fire departments from Westwood, Park Ridge, Woodcliff lake and Washington Township were there, along with Hillsdale EMS and medical techs from Hackensack University Medical Center, River Vale EMS, Washington Township EMS, and Tri-Boro EMS, Stalter said.

They had the fire out in under an hour, limiting damage to the basement, he said.

Fire officials determined “ignition began in the basement, likely as a result of flammable paint fumes,” although a final determination is pending, Stalter said.The chief praised the emergency workers who responded so quickly, saying they made the difference between a smooth rescue and much more serious consequences.

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