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Update: Resident Killed In Ridgewood Senior Housing Blaze

Authorities on Monday identified a resident killed in a weekend apartment fire at a senior living community in Ridgewood.

The body of Denise Dillon, 72, was found after firefighters doused the flames in her unit at the Ridgecrest Senior Housing development on Ridge Road shortly after 7:30 p.m., Police Chief Jacqueline Luthcke said.

"At this time, it appears that the fire started accidentally," Lutchcke said.

She didn't elaborate, but responders and others said the elderly widow -- whose body was found in a chair -- was a smoker.

Ridgecrest Senior Housing in Ridgewood

Boyd A. Loving

Firefighters confined the blaze to Dillon's apartment, with no other fire damage beyond that unit.

The smoke necessitated a complete search and evacuation of the building, however.

Some seniors were taken to The Valley Hospital for evaluation.

Boyd A. Loving

Some elderly residents were taken to The Valley Hospital for evaluation. None were seriously injured.

"All residents were able to return to their apartments once the area was deemed safe," Luthcke said.

At the scene of Saturday night's fire at the Ridgecrest Senior Housing complex in Ridgewood.

Boyd A. Loving

Luthcke thanked all the responders:

  • Glen Rock police;
  • Ho-Ho-Kus firefighters;
  • EMS units from Glen Rock and Midland Park;
  • Valley Hospital paramedics;
  • The Bergen and Passaic county medical ambulance buses;
  • The Bergen County prosecutor's, sheriff's and fire coordinator's offices;
  • The Bergen County Office of Emergency Management;
  • The NJ Division of Fire Safety.

At the scene.

Boyd A. Loving

Dozens of residents at Ridgecrest Senior Housing in Ridgewood were temporarily displaced.

Boyd A. Loving

Emergency responders tended to the elderly residents at Ridgecrest Senior Housing in Ridgewood.

Boyd A. Loving

Boyd A. Loving took the photos and contributed to this story.

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