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Firefighting

Family Affair: Father, Son Serve Together At Toms River Fire Department Family Affair: Father, Son Serve Together At Toms River Fire Department
Family Affair: Father, Son Serve Together At Toms River Fire Department Helping others runs in the Rice family’s blood.  Matthew Rice, 23, grew up surrounded by it.  His grandmother was an ICU nurse, his grandfather a police officer, and his dad, Dave, 47, is an EMT and firefighter. Matthew himself just graduated with his master’s degree in fire science: Explosion & investigation. One of the best ways for father and son, Dave and Matthew, to spend time together is volunteering with Toms River Fire Co. No. 2 in the Toms River Fire Department. “It can be a challenge at times volunteering together,” Dave laughed, “but it’s a lot of fun, a lot of ca…
UPDATE: Ferocious Fire Displaces Dozens in Bayonne UPDATE: Ferocious Fire Displaces Dozens in Bayonne
Update: Ferocious Fire Displaces Dozens in Bayonne UPDATE: A ferocious late-night fire that consumed one Bayonne home and spread to three others displaced nearly two dozen people, authorities confirmed. No serious injuries were reported in the blaze, which ignited in a West 11th Street home off Avenue C shortly before 11 p.m. Friday, June 7, and quickly spread. Flames fully engulfed the main home and began to spread, bringing dozens of firefighters from neighboring communities. The fire was declared under control around 1:30 a.m. The speed and intensity of the blaze forced the city's bravest to "pull everything out and go on the offensive…
DUMPED: Spurned Woman Sets Fire To Ex-BF’s NJ Apartment, Authorities Charge DUMPED: Spurned Woman Sets Fire To Ex-BF’s NJ Apartment, Authorities Charge
Dumped: Spurned Woman Sets Fire To Ex-BF’s NJ Apartment, Authorities Charge 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A woman who vowed to torch her ex-boyfriend's Garfield apartment carried out the threat, said authorities who arrested her after reviewing surveillance video and other evidence. Allison G. Gutierrez-Tuesta, 25, had previously damaged the victim’s car and assaulted him when he ended their relationship, according to local investigators. Shortly after 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 28, she ignited two areas of his second-floor Passaic Street apartment near the Garfield train station, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. One was in his bedroom and the other in the hallway. Gutierrez-…
VIDEO: Atlantic City Police Officer Rescues Teen Girl, Four Pets From House Fire VIDEO: Atlantic City Police Officer Rescues Teen Girl, Four Pets From House Fire
Video: Atlantic City Police Officer Rescues Teen Girl, Four Pets From House Fire An Atlantic City police officer was praised for rescuing a teen and four pets from a house fire, authorities said. Officer Riley Flynn saved the girl and animals at around 12:58 a.m. on Sunday, May 26, the Atlantic City Police Department said in a news release. The police department also released body camera video of the rescue on Tuesday, June 4. The video showed Officer Flynn running toward someone yelling for help outside a home on the 800 block of North Maryland Avenue. "I tried to bust down this window," one witness said. "I can't do anything." Officer Flynn notic…
Bathroom Ceiling Fan Blamed For House Fire In Manchester Township Gated Community: Police Bathroom Ceiling Fan Blamed For House Fire In Manchester Township Gated Community: Police
Bathroom Ceiling Fan Blamed For House Fire In Manchester Township Gated Community: Police Firefighters quickly put out flames at a home in a gated community in Manchester Township, authorities said. Volunteer firefighters from Manchester, Ridgeway, and Whiting responded to the fire on Edinburgh Lane in the Leisure Village West community at around 3:35 p.m. on Saturday, Apr. 27, Manchester police said in a news release. When firefighters arrived, they learned the fire was caused by a bathroom ceiling fan. The homeowners were not in the house during the fire and only a cleaning crew was there.  No injuries were reported and the residents weren't displaced. The Oce…
NJ Boosts Wildfire Budget Amid String Of Large Blazes, Long Season NJ Boosts Wildfire Budget Amid String Of Large Blazes, Long Season
NJ Boosts Wildfire Budget Amid String Of Large Blazes, Long Season An extra $3 million in state money will go to the Department of Environmental Protection’s Forest Fire Service to assist in fighting wildfires, authorities said. New Jersey Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, at a Thursday, Sept. 21 news conference, said funding for new firefighting equipment and staff is vital as climate change heightens and lengthens wildfire seasons in the Garden State. This year was among the busiest and longest wildfire season in a decade, state officials said. Forest Fire Service Administrator and Chief Greg McLaughlin said there is a high pr…
Two Firefighters Die Battling Huge Port Newark Ship Blaze Two Firefighters Die Battling Huge Port Newark Ship Blaze
Two Firefighters Die Battling Huge Port Newark Ship Blaze Two Newark firefighters died battling a blaze that tore through a car-carrying ship at Port Newark–Elizabeth Marine Terminal late Wednesday, officials confirmed. UPDATE: 'Hearts Are Broken': IDs Of Newark Firefighters Killed In Line Of Duty Released The firefighters had “made an attempt to extinguish the fire and, because of the intense heat, they got pushed back out of the area where the initial fire was,” Newark Fire Department Chief Rufus Jackson at a morning news conference on July 6. The Grande Costa D'Avorio apparently was headed to Brooklyn after leaving Baltimore on Sunday with mo…
HIGH DRAMA: Photog Captures NJSP Rescue Of Clifton Firefighters From Passaic River HIGH DRAMA: Photog Captures NJSP Rescue Of Clifton Firefighters From Passaic River
High Drama: Photog Captures Njsp Rescue Of Clifton Firefighters From Passaic River Freelance photographer Boyd A. Loving captured the drama Wednesday afternoon as two Clifton firefighters were plucked from the Passaic River by a New Jersey State Police chopper after they'd gone in to rescue a construction crew. The three-member crew was clearing trees and brush from the river when their boat got snagged at the top of the Dundee Dam, which has a 20-foot drop to a lower section of the river below. Firefighters from Clifton, Garfield and Elmwood Park put boats into the river to rescue the trio. At some point, the Clifton boat began to tip over the side of the falls. A fire…
Bayville Firefighter Brian Letrent Dies Suddenly, 34 Bayville Firefighter Brian Letrent Dies Suddenly, 34
Bayville Firefighter Brian Letrent Dies Suddenly, 34 The Bayville Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of their own. Brian Letrent died suddenly of a medical condition on Wednesday, June 21, according to his obituary. He was 34 years old. A Toms River native, Brian was raised in Bayville and was a 2007 graduate of Central Regional High School. He enlisted in the US Army right after graduation and was deployed to Iraq for six months. From Mayor Carmen Amato. Our heartfelt condolences are with Brian Letrent and his family during this difficult time.... Posted by Berkeley Township on Thursday, June 22, 2023 Brian worked as a mechan…
Hundreds Of Firefighters Battle Warehouse Blaze In Central Jersey Hundreds Of Firefighters Battle Warehouse Blaze In Central Jersey
Hundreds Of Firefighters Battle Warehouse Blaze In Central Jersey Over 300 first-responders helped fight a fire that heavily damaged a warehouse in Central Jersey, authorities said. It took about 22 hours to put the stubborn fire out, they said. On Wednesday, May 17, at 3:45 p.m., South Brunswick police received a call reporting a fire in a commercial building at 2 Progress Road. Monmouth Junction Fire Chief Scott Smith and several police units arrived on scene at the single-story building within minutes and reported a significant amount of black smoke and flames coming from the roof of the warehouse, South Brunswick police said. Fifteen employees were…
Large North Jersey Brush Fire Continues Burning Large North Jersey Brush Fire Continues Burning
Large North Jersey Brush Fire Continues Burning UPDATE: The wildfire that marched through West Milford the past three days is 100% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported on Saturday. The blaze, which was beaten back at first but then grew steadily over the previous 48 hours, finally topped out at 972 acres on April 15 – and that was it, the service said. Fire officials also said this would be the last of the updates from the “Kanouse Wildfire," the largest blaze in North Jersey since 2010. Ten structures in all were threatened – half of which were evacuated – yet none were seriously damaged thanks to the support of fire…
Large North Jersey Brush Fire Continues Burning Large North Jersey Brush Fire Continues Burning
Large North Jersey Brush Fire Continues Burning UPDATE: The worst is over: The wildfire that marched through West Milford the past three days is 100% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported on Saturday. The blaze, which was beaten back at first but then grew steadily over the previous 48 hours, finally topped out at 972 acres on April 15 – and that was it, the service said. Fire officials also said this would be the last of the updates from the “Kanouse Wildfire," the largest blaze in North Jersey since 2010. Ten structures in all were threatened – half of which were evacuated – yet none were seriously damaged thanks to …
Firefighters Battle Massive Church Blaze In South Jersey Firefighters Battle Massive Church Blaze In South Jersey
Firefighters Battle Massive Church Blaze In South Jersey A fire ravaged a Florence Township church on Monday evening, March 20, and burned into the following morning. Firefighters worked to put out the 8-alarm blaze at the Fountain of Life Center, on the 2000 block of Columbus Road. Fire officials tell 6abc that kids playing basketball behind the church noticed smoke on Monday evening. The blaze climbed to eight alarms bringing fire companies from across New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the scene. Responders remained at the scene controlling hot spots as of 5 a.m. Tuesday, March 21. Fountain of Life Center Academy, a school next door, was not dam…
'Very Close Call': House Collapses, 22 NYC Firefighters Injured In Staten Island Blaze 'Very Close Call': House Collapses, 22 NYC Firefighters Injured In Staten Island Blaze
'Very Close Call': House Collapses, 22 NYC Firefighters Injured In Staten Island Blaze UPDATE: A total of 22 New York City firefighters were injured – three of them seriously – while battling a blaze that collapsed part of a Staten Island home, the FDNY said Friday. The good news is that all are expected to survive. Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh called the incident a "very close call for the FDNY, which could have lost three members today."   A major collapse was reported minutes into the fire, which ignited in a 2½-story side-by-side duplex on Shotwell Avenue in the Arden Heights section shortly before 1:30 p.m. Feb. 17. The fire quickly went to four alarms, with multi…
NJ Fire Chief, 54, Dies Of Complications From COVID-19 In Central Jersey NJ Fire Chief, 54, Dies Of Complications From COVID-19 In Central Jersey
NJ Fire Chief, 54, Dies Of Complications From Covid-19 In Central Jersey Devoted New Jersey fire chief and beloved father Thomas Marvits died from complications of COVID-19 on Sunday, Jan. 15 aged 54. Thomas was a dedicated member of Hillsborough Fire Company #3 (Station 38) for over a decade and eventually earned the rank of Chief, his obituary says. Meanwhile, he worked successfully in the finance industry, holding positions at Deutsche Bank, Neuberger Berman, and Thrivent Financial Services throughout his career. Thomas also served on the Congregation Council and Property Committee at Faith Lutheran Church and dutifully as an Assistant Scoutmaster for the B…
UPDATE: Firefighter Charged In Horrific 9W Crash Later Returned To Scene As Responder UPDATE: Firefighter Charged In Horrific 9W Crash Later Returned To Scene As Responder
Update: Firefighter Charged In Horrific 9W Crash Later Returned To Scene As Responder UPDATE: A volunteer firefighter charged in a horrific road-rage crash that nearly killed a fellow group of fellow Bergen County teens earlier this week left the scene and then returned as a responder, authorities said. Luke Stein, 18, who was taken into custody in Colorado on Friday, Oct. 14, became a volunteer firefighter in Alpine and Demarest earlier this year, records show.  He was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee with blue and white emergency lights on the dashboard when he pursued and then deliberately rear-ended the victims' Honda Pilot on Route 9W just after midnight on Monday, Oct. 1…
Firefighter Who Teaches High-Angle Rescue Helps Save Severely Injured Worker In NJ Tree Firefighter Who Teaches High-Angle Rescue Helps Save Severely Injured Worker In NJ Tree
Firefighter Who Teaches High-Angle Rescue Helps Save Severely Injured Worker In NJ Tree A firefighter with just the right experience helped rescue a tree trimmer who was left perilously perched in the air in Fair Lawn after a cut limb from an oak broke his leg, responders said. Firefighters couldn't get to the 42-year-old arborist from Hackensack with an aerial ladder after the mishap left him stranded on an unsteady limb 20 to 30 feet above the backyard of an Ellington Road home shortly before 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 6. They had to use ground ladders and ropes instead. "Coincidentally, while on his way to teach rope rescue for hostage negotiation, off-duty FF Steven Alvarez…
Jersey Shore Fire Chief Tim Pfleger Dies, 32 Jersey Shore Fire Chief Tim Pfleger Dies, 32
Jersey Shore Fire Chief Tim Pfleger Dies, 32 A Jersey Shore fire department is mourning the loss of their chief. Keyport Fire Department Chief Tim Pfleger, 32, died over the weekend, the department announced on Facebook. Pfleger had been hurt in an accident returning from the fire academy in July, NJ Advance Media reports. Pfleger joined the department as a cadet in 2007. The following year, he joined Keyport Fire Patrol, having served as a lieutenant and captain. In 2019, Pfleger was elected as the Third Assistant Chief of the Department. He served two more years as an Assistant Chief until he was elected as the 2022 Chief of Depart…
Firefighters Battle 3-Alarm Blaze In Central Jersey (DEVELOPING) Firefighters Battle 3-Alarm Blaze In Central Jersey (DEVELOPING)
Firefighters Battle 3-Alarm Blaze In Central Jersey (Developing) Firefighters were battling a three-alarm house fire in Central Jersey, according to developing and unconfirmed reports. The fire was reported at about 6:30 a.m. Thursday, July 21 on Eagle Court in Old Bridge, initial reports said. The rear of a large 2.5-story home had collapsed, reports said. CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES
Adult, Juvenile Charged With Arson In Multi-Alarm North Jersey Warehouse Fire Adult, Juvenile Charged With Arson In Multi-Alarm North Jersey Warehouse Fire
Adult, Juvenile Charged With Arson In Multi-Alarm North Jersey Warehouse Fire UPDATE: A vacant warehouse blaze that injured a firefighter in Palisades Park was deliberately set by two Ridgefield residents, authorities charged. Alexander Regalado, 18, was arrested and a juvenile was detained after they were identified as responsible for the multi-alarm Fourth of July weekend fire on Fairview Street off Grand Avenue, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. The fire, which ravaged the warehouse and damaged a neighboring building, wasn’t fully extinguished for nearly six hours. Route 46 was closed in both directions at one point because of the thick smoke and a fi…
Fire Consumes Paramus Home Fire Consumes Paramus Home
Fire Consumes Paramus Home A furious fire consumed a Paramus home early Friday. The blaze apparently ignited on a rear deck and quickly spread through the 2½-story, wood-frame Village Circle West  home around 5 a.m. A couple and their two daughters -- ages 4 and 8 -- all got out OK, neighbors said.  Aftermath of the Village Circle West fire in Paramus.Jo Fehl for DAILY VOICE The family, who'd moved in about a year ago, watched in their pajamas as the flames destroyed their home, they said. Firefighters had the bulk of the blaze knocked down within an hour and a half. Little was left once it was declared under c…
Firefighters Battle Fatal Blaze In Central Jersey (DEVELOPING) Firefighters Battle Fatal Blaze In Central Jersey (DEVELOPING)
Firefighters Battle Fatal Blaze In Central Jersey (Developing) A person was killed in a house fire in Central Jersey, according to developing and unconfirmed reports. The fire broke out at about 9:35 p.m. on Monday, May 16 on Pelham Road in the Kendall Park section of South Brunswick. Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire showing from a single-story wood-framed house.  Three fire companies battled the blaze, which was their second house fire of the day, South Brunswick police said. The first two-alarm fire destroyed a group home on Riva Avenue in Monmouth Junction. All residents made it safely out of the home and no serious injuries were repor…
Serious 3-Alarm Apartment House Fire Reported In Central Jersey (DEVELOPING) Serious 3-Alarm Apartment House Fire Reported In Central Jersey (DEVELOPING)
Serious 3-Alarm Apartment House Fire Reported In Central Jersey (Developing) Firefighters were battling a three-alarm blaze in a three-story apartment house in Middlesex County, according to developing and unconfirmed reports.  The heavy fire broke out at about 8 a.m. on Northumberland Way in South Brunswick, initial reports said.  Command was reporting that the fire was being fought in defensive mode only. As firefighters arrived, "victims were hanging from the windows," according to an unconfirmed report.  This is a developing news sotry. CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES
Firefighters Battle Major Blaze On Jersey Shore (DEVELOPING) Firefighters Battle Major Blaze On Jersey Shore (DEVELOPING)
Firefighters Battle Major Blaze On Jersey Shore (Developing) Firefighters were battling a serious house fire in Monmouth County, according to developing and unconfirmed reports. The fire broke out before 3 p.m. on Friday, March 4 at 32 Parker St. in Freehold, initial reports said. Smoke could be seen pouring from the roof of the home, an unconfirmed report said. CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES
Resourceful Responder Rescues North Jersey Carpet Company Resourceful Responder Rescues North Jersey Carpet Company
Resourceful Responder Rescues North Jersey Carpet Company A resourceful firefighter helped save a flooring company in Bogota from ruin before dawn Thursday, authorities said. Firefighters quickly got to Manning Bros Carpet & Flooring on East Fort Lee Road after the boiler-room blaze erupted around 5:15 a.m. There they found two nearby hydrants frozen. A member of Engine Co. 3 then grabbed a road flare and thawed out one of the hydrants. Fellow smoke eaters then cut the roof above the boiler room and kept the flames from spreading to the rest of the 10,000-square-foot building -- allowing the business to open as usual on Thursday. No injuries…
3 Baltimore Firefighters Dead, One Critical Battling Morning House Fire 3 Baltimore Firefighters Dead, One Critical Battling Morning House Fire
3 Baltimore Firefighters Dead, One Critical Battling Morning House Fire Three firefighters have died and one was in serious condition after they became trapped battling a house fire early Monday morning, officials confirmed. Mayor Brandon Scott identified the fatally-wounded firefighters as Lt. Paul Butrim, Firefighter/Paramedic Kelsey Sadler, and EMT/Firefighter Kenny Lacayo. John McMaster remains at the hospital in critical but stable condition.  At the scene.Baltimore City Fire Department "This is a gut-wrenching tragedy for our city, the Baltimore City Fire Department, and most importantly the families of our firefighters," Scott said.  "There are no w…
Firefighters Douse Jersey Shore House Fire Firefighters Douse Jersey Shore House Fire
Firefighters Douse Jersey Shore House Fire Firefighters quickly extinguished a blaze at a Central Jersey home, authorities said. The fire broke out at 11:11 p.m. Tuesday at 4 Sarah Court, according to Marlboro Township police. The fire was contained to the home's garage, and is suspected to be electrical in origin, police said. All of the family members were safely out of the residence when police arrived. Multiple fire departments responded to the scene to extinguish the fire. There were no reported injuries from any of the first responders. Along with officers from the Marlboro Township Police Department, responding a…
Firefighters Battle Raging Blaze In Central Jersey Firefighters Battle Raging Blaze In Central Jersey
Firefighters Battle Raging Blaze In Central Jersey Firefighters were battling a major wind-whipped house fire in Central Jersey, authorities said. The two-alarm fire was reported about 3 p.m. at 39 Union St. in Carteret, initial reports said. Fire was showing in the first floor of the two-story home, with heavy smoke from the second floor and loft, reports said. At 3:20 p.m. the command was pulling all companies out of the structure due to heavy fire conditions, according to an unconfirmed report.  By 3:30 p.m., the bulk of the fire had been knocked down from the exterior, reports said, and crews in the process of making an interior …
Son Of Bergen County Executive Charged With Impersonating Police Officer In Florida Son Of Bergen County Executive Charged With Impersonating Police Officer In Florida
Son Of Bergen County Executive Charged With Impersonating Police Officer In Florida The son of Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco was arrested on charges of impersonating a law enforcement officer on Route 95 in Florida, authorities said. James J. Tedesco IV, 43, of Nanuet had an NYPD jacket and DEA hat with him, as well as two AR-15 rifles, 1,139 rounds of ammo and a bag loaded with gas mask equipment and suits, when he was stopped on the southbound interstate in Vero Beach shortly after 4:30 p.m. Monday, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office said. He was arrested, processed and sent to the county jail about 2½ hours later, records show. Tedesco posted a $26,000 b…
Boat Fire Reported On Jersey Shore Boat Fire Reported On Jersey Shore
Boat Fire Reported On Jersey Shore Firefighters were called on a report of a boat on fire, authorities said. The blaze broke out shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday at a marina off the 500 block of Route 70 in Brick Township, initial reports said. There were no injuries reported. No other details were immediately available. CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES
Brick Township Fire Destroys Waterfront Homes Brick Township Fire Destroys Waterfront Homes
Brick Township Fire Destroys Waterfront Homes Firefighters battled a raging blaze in Brick Township resulting in injuries and destruction to multiple waterfront homes Monday afternoon. The fire broke out at 31 Bay Way in the Bay Harbor section of the township around 3:30 p.m., bring crews from across the Jersey Shore to the scene. Wind caused flames to spread to the home next door. Aerial ladders and fire boats were being used to battle the wind-whipped fire. At one point, there was an unconfirmed report of an explosion with all firefighters accounted for. Several firefighters were overcome by smoke, reports said, and required assis…