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Authorities: Convicted Pyro Calls In Lyndhurst Car Fire, Waits For Responders, Lands In Jail Authorities: Convicted Pyro Calls In Lyndhurst Car Fire, Waits For Responders, Lands In Jail
Authorities: Convicted Pyro Calls In Lyndhurst Car Fire, Waits For Responders, Lands In Jail A paroled arsonist was waiting when firefighters in Lyndhurst responded to his call of an SUV fire. It didn’t take long for investigators to charge him with setting it. Christopher Baulch, 43, has an extensive criminal history that includes prison time served for torching two occupied Lyndhurst apartment buildings in 2000 – one on Christmas Eve, the other on New Year’s Eve – and then trying to play hero, records show. “In both cases, he went to help the people,” the sentencing judge in Hackensack said at the time. Baulch -- formerly of Lyndhurst and currently of Wayne – also has a chi…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Obituaries
Devoted Newark Firefighter Robert Illis Dies After Long Illness Devoted Newark Firefighter Robert Illis Dies After Long Illness
Devoted Newark Firefighter Robert Illis Dies After Long Illness The Newark Fire Department is mourning the loss of a beloved brother in red. Robert Illis, 57, died after a long-term illness on Wednesday, May 18, according to his family. Robert spent the last 20 years as a devoted firefighter with Engine 7, Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Public Safety Director Brian A. O’Hara said. A Newark native, Robert graduated from East Side High School, according to his social media page. “Our deepest condolences are extended to each of Firefighter Illis’ family members and colleagues,” said Mayor Baraka. Robert was deeply admired for his dedication to his career and…

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by Valerie Musson
Police & Fire
2 Hurt, Dozens More Relocated As Massive 3-Alarm Fire Ravages Newark Home 2 Hurt, Dozens More Relocated As Massive 3-Alarm Fire Ravages Newark Home
2 Hurt, Dozens More Relocated As Massive 3-Alarm Fire Ravages Newark Home Two people were hurt and dozens more relocated as a massive three-alarm fire ravaged a Newark home Thursday morning, authorities said. More than 100 firefighters responded to 390 Lincoln Ave. as the blaze was reported just after 11:15 a.m., Newark Public Safety Director Brian A. O’Hara said. A third alarm was called about 10 minutes later as the fire started spreading from the two-and-a-half-story wooden-framed home to two neighboring homes, O’Hara said. A Newark firefighter was taken to St. Barnabas Medical Center for treatment of facial burns, authorities said. Meanwhile, a woman at on…

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by Valerie Musson
Police & Fire
Trenton Twins Killed In House Fire, Video Shows Neighbors Hugging As Building Burns Trenton Twins Killed In House Fire, Video Shows Neighbors Hugging As Building Burns
Trenton Twins Killed In House Fire, Video Shows Neighbors Hugging As Building Burns A pair of twin brothers were killed in a house fire that broke out Saturday night in Trenton. The three-alarm blaze at 834 Carteret Ave. broke out just before 7 p.m.  One firefighter suffered burns and three others were injured due to a collapse, officials said. The twins, who were 20 years old, were not identified. Footage posted to Facebook by Kion Pickett-Levell shows neighbors comforting each other as the building burns. “I am praying for this family who lost two sons tonight," Mayor W. Reed Gusciora said. "This is heartbreaking and we will do everything we can to support to get throu…

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by Cecilia Levine
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Firefighters Free Driver In Englewood Crash Firefighters Free Driver In Englewood Crash
Firefighters Free Driver In Englewood Crash Englewood firefighters extricated the driver of an SUV that hit a parked vehicle and landed on its side. The Honda CRV coincidentally struck another CRV before topping on Van Nostrand Avenue between Broad and Grand avenues just off westbound Route 4 around 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 25. The driver was checked out and cleared by EMS.

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Firefighter Injured In Hackensack Condo Building Blaze Firefighter Injured In Hackensack Condo Building Blaze
Firefighter Injured In Hackensack Condo Building Blaze A firefighter was treated for a cut on his hand in a blaze that blew through the roof of a condo building in Hackensack. The fire broke out in a cockloft and spread to several units of the Atlantic Court Condominiums at the corner of State and Atlantic streets shortly after 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 20, Hackensack fire officials said. All of the residents got out safely, they said. Firefighters had the main body of the two-alarm blaze knocked down in about 45 minutes. Mutual aid responders included firefighters from Bergenfield, Bogota, Englewood and Ridgefield Park. Flames through the…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
HEROES: Paterson's Bravest Deliver Elmwood Park Newborn In Back Of Ambulance HEROES: Paterson's Bravest Deliver Elmwood Park Newborn In Back Of Ambulance
Heroes: Paterson's Bravest Deliver Elmwood Park Newborn In Back Of Ambulance An Elmwood Park newborn wasn't waiting as two Paterson firefighters tried to rush her mom to the hospital. So they pulled over. Parked on the side of the road, Silk City's bravest delivered a healthy baby girl in the back of their ambulance. Firefighters Craig Puglise and Jeffrey Wanco responded to the mutual aid call at the Elmwood Village Apartment Homes on the other side of the Passaic River call just after 7:30 a.m. They found the 22-year-old mom-to-be lying in bed with her boyfriend nearby, Paterson Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale said. Her contractions were three minutes apart…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Obituaries
Standout Kenilworth Volunteer Firefighter Shawn Kelly Dies Suddenly Standout Kenilworth Volunteer Firefighter Shawn Kelly Dies Suddenly
Standout Kenilworth Volunteer Firefighter Shawn Kelly Dies Suddenly The Kenilworth Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of its own. Shawn Kelly joined the department in 2005 after graduating from Union County Fire Academy. There, he earned his Firefighter 1 and 2 certifications.  He also obtained his New Jersey state EMT certification that same year.  Kelly was also a member of the Union County Police/Fire Pipes and Drums.  Through his time on the department he achieved the ranks of lieutenant, captain, and president of the department.  "I've always regarded Shawn, as well as his Dad, pillars of the KFD," said&nb…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Swatara Firefighter Mourned As 'Beautiful, Impactful' Swatara Firefighter Mourned As 'Beautiful, Impactful'
Swatara Firefighter Mourned As 'Beautiful, Impactful' A central Pennsylvania community is mourning the loss of a beloved firefighter. Carrie Ann Rafuse, 25, of Middletown, suddenly died on Wednesday, Oct. 13, according to her obituary. It is believed Rafuse was the firefighter who died by suicide on Oct. 13, although this has not been confirmed by officials.  Rafuse was a graduate of Northern York High School, Dillsburg and of Duquesne University, according to her obituary. She was a Logistic Management Specialist for USASAC at New Cumberland Army Depot and a volunteer firefighter with Swatara Township Fire Company, Station 49, Engine 91, …

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by Jillian Pikora
News
PA Sailor Slapped On 9/11 By Cursing Woman In Viral TikTok Video PA Sailor Slapped On 9/11 By Cursing Woman In Viral TikTok Video
PA Sailor Slapped On 9/11 By Cursing Woman In Viral TikTok Video A sailor and fireman was slapped by an angry woman on Sept. 11 who thought he was faking his military status, as seen in a viral TikTok video. Harrisburg native, Sean Nolte Jr., was in his military uniform at Central Pizza in Berlin, Connecticut located at 96 Mill Street when an angry woman started shouting at his that he was disgracing the US military by wearing a fake uniform. Prior to the incident Nolte says he noticed the woman starring at him so when she first approached him, he tried to show her his military id card. “As she leaves, she looks at me and says ‘nice smile’ very sarcas…

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by Jillian Pikora
News
Smoky Blaze Ravages Englewood Home Smoky Blaze Ravages Englewood Home
Smoky Blaze Ravages Englewood Home A firefighter was reportedly injured battling a smoky house blaze Wednesday afternoon in Englewood. The extent of injuries wasn't immediately known after he was transported to the hospital by BLS. Firefighters were met by heavy fire and smoke when they arrived at the noontime fire in the rear of the home on West Hamilton Avenue at Pindle Avenue.  They had the bulk of the blaze knocked down in minutes. Aftermath.Tony Greco for DAILY VOICE Mutual responders included firefighters from Teaneck, Hackensack, Tenafly, along with Bogota, Bergenfield, Leonia and Fairview. Firefighters were…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Power Line Falls On 7 Firefighters Battling Massive Jersey City Blaze Power Line Falls On 7 Firefighters Battling Massive Jersey City Blaze
Power Line Falls On 7 Firefighters Battling Massive Jersey City Blaze Seven firefighters were injured when a power line fell on them while battling a five-alarm fire overnight in Jersey City. The fire broke out at 10 Irving St., and spread to a nearby home around 3 a.m. As firefighters were arriving, an energized power line fell on their truck, ABC7 reports. A captain and at least four firefighters suffered electric shock. The firefighters were hospitalized for minor injuries while 18 residents from six families were displaced. Click here for more from ABC7.

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by Cecilia Levine