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Homeowner Terrence Allen, 44, told police he heard the smoke alarm and ran to the garage of his Ranch Drive home to find it engulfed just after 4:15. He said he’d been charging the battery of his motorcycle.
The fire spread to the house and quickly went to two alarms, emergency responders told CLIFFVIEW PILOT. Within an hour, it had gone to three alarms as the roof collapsed and flames shot skyward.
“I went up quick,” Closter Police Capt. Don Nicoletti told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.
No injuries were reported, although a Yorkshire terrier died in the blaze, Nicoletti said. Another dog was rescued.
Several departments joined Closter firefighters at the two-story 4,884-square-foot house — among them, Demarest, Harrington Park, Haworth, New Milford, Northvale, Norwood, Teaneck and Old Tappan.
Police also evacuated the neighborhood as a precaution because of concern over high winds.
Most of the fire was knocked down by 6:30. Firefighters continued hitting hot spots and pocket fires over the next hour or so.
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