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Fire Safety

West Milford Wildfire Swells To 3,500 Acres As Firefighters Battle Fierce Winds West Milford Wildfire Swells To 3,500 Acres As Firefighters Battle Fierce Winds
West Milford Wildfire Swells To 3,500 Acres As Firefighters Battle Fierce Winds The Jennings Creek Wildfire, now spanning 3,500 acres across Passaic County, NJ, and Orange County, NY, is only 20% contained, with strong winds and low humidity posing continued risks for rapid spread.  The New Jersey Forest Fire Service and New York’s Division of Forest Protection and Fire Management are working in unified command to strengthen containment lines in preparation for tomorrow’s forecasted weather. Firefighters focused efforts Tuesday, Nov. 12 on reinforcing the eastern containment line, using controlled burns to remove unburned pockets of fuel.  Resources deployed…
Illegal Shotgun Round Sparked 350-Acre Jackson Wildfire, Brick Man Charged: Officials Illegal Shotgun Round Sparked 350-Acre Jackson Wildfire, Brick Man Charged: Officials
Illegal Shotgun Round Sparked 350-Acre Jackson Wildfire, Brick Man Charged: Officials A massive wildfire that scorched 350 acres in Jackson Township was ignited by an illegal shotgun round that authorities said was fired by a 37-year-old Brick Township man. Authorities charged Richard Shashaty, 37, with arson after an investigation revealed that magnesium shards from a prohibited Dragon’s Breath 12-gauge shotgun round sparked the blaze on Nov. 6, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. The fire, known as the Shotgun Wildfire, erupted shortly after noon on November 6 near the Central Jersey Rifle Range on Stump Tavern Road. Investigators determined that the incendi…
Fire Ravages Englewood Home Fire Ravages Englewood Home
Fire Ravages Englewood Home Flames blew through the roof of an Englewood home ravaged by a ferocious fire. The blaze apparently ignited on the second floor of the 2½-story, $1 million wood-frame home on Walton Street just off Jones Road shortly after 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 13. It was well-involved when firefighters arrived, requiring a defensive operation. A huge column of smoke could be seen from nearby Route 4. No injuries were reported. Firefighters faced water pressure issues as they continued to battle the blaze at noontime. Mutual aid at the scene and in coverage included firefighters from Bergenfield, Bo…
Propane Tank Caused Home Explosion That Killed 45-Year-Old Jersey Shore Man: Prosecutor Propane Tank Caused Home Explosion That Killed 45-Year-Old Jersey Shore Man: Prosecutor
Propane Tank Caused Home Explosion That Killed 45-Year-Old Jersey Shore Man: Prosecutor A propane tank is to blame for the home explosion that killed a 45-year-old Jersey Shore man on Tuesday, Oct. 31, authorities said. Kevin Thomas, 45, was found on his front lawn of 253 Neptune Dr., with serious burns, and airlifted to Temple Burn Center in Philadelphia after the explosion that turned into a fire ravaged his house, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. Thomas died at the hospital, said Billhimer alongside Stafford Township Police Chief Thomas Dellane. The origin of the explosion was the southwest corner bedroom of the home, and that the cause of …
GROUP HUG: Lyndhurst Pupils Thank First Responders For Saving Their School GROUP HUG: Lyndhurst Pupils Thank First Responders For Saving Their School
Group HUG: Lyndhurst Pupils Thank First Responders For Saving Their School First responders can sometimes have thankless jobs -- but not in Lyndhurst, where they were applauded by a schoolful of grateful youngsters. The K-through-2nd graders from Washington School thanked Lyndhurst's local heroes for saving their school after a blaze broke out in the basement last month. Township police were first on the scene at the Ridge Road school shortly after 6 p.m. Sept. 16. Responding firefighters were met by high heat, as well as thick smoke that obscured all visibility, 1st Assistant Fire Chief Paul Haggerty said. National Fire Prevention Week brought the Washingto…
Saddle Brook Firefighters Limit Damage From Kitchen Blaze Saddle Brook Firefighters Limit Damage From Kitchen Blaze
Saddle Brook Firefighters Limit Damage From Kitchen Blaze Saddle Brook firefighters quickly doused a kitchen blaze on Monday, limiting the damage. The two-alarm fire broke out in the rear of the Congress Street home off Rochelle Parkway near westbound Route 80 shortly before 8 a.m. July 31. Firefighters forced their way in and got water on the flames while searching and ventilating the home. The fire was knocked down and under control in minutes. The Saddle Brook Fire Department urged all citizens to use smoke detectors and to be sure to dial 911 immediately to report any emergencies.
Lithium-Ion Scooter Battery Explodes, Ignites Fire In Wyckoff, Brings Warning From Responders Lithium-Ion Scooter Battery Explodes, Ignites Fire In Wyckoff, Brings Warning From Responders
Lithium-Ion Scooter Battery Explodes, Ignites Fire In Wyckoff, Brings Warning From Responders A lithium-ion battery that was charging in an electric scooter ignited a garage fire in Wyckoff -- and brought warnings from responders. A resident at the Meadowbrook Road home dialed 911 after going to the garage to check out a loud bang and seeing smoke and flames, Police Lt. Joseph Soto said. Firefighters contained the two-alarm blaze, although the adjoining house sustained heat and smoke damage. Firefighters nationwide say they are seeing an increasing -- and alarming -- number of fires caused by devices with lithium-ion batteries. Blazes involving the batteries are rarely a slow burn…
Lithium Battery Ignites Lodi Basement Fire Lithium Battery Ignites Lodi Basement Fire
Lithium Battery Ignites Lodi Basement Fire A lithium-ion battery from a hoverboard ignited a basement blaze that Lodi firefighters quickly extinguished Wednesday night. The fire broke out in a 1½-story private home on Avenue B off the corner of Main Street shortly before 10 p.m. March 22. An initial report of people possibly trapped fortunately proved unfounded. Main Street was temporarily closed while firefighters ran a supply line across it. They had the two-alarmer doused in under 10 minutes. No injuries were reported. Providing mutual aid at the scene or in coverage were firefighters from Garfield, Hasbrouck Heights and Walli…
Police Rescue Wheelchair-Bound Upper-Floor Tenant, 88, In Teaneck Apartment Building Fire Police Rescue Wheelchair-Bound Upper-Floor Tenant, 88, In Teaneck Apartment Building Fire
Police Rescue Wheelchair-Bound Upper-Floor Tenant, 88, In Teaneck Apartment Building Fire UPDATE: Two Teaneck police officers rescued an 88-year-old wheelchair-bound tenant from what began as an appliance fire in her fifth-floor apartment, carrying her down several flights of stairs to safety, authorities said. Sgt. Stephen Morena and Officer Aundra Ellington quickly gathered the woman – who, it turns out, had an oxygen tank that could have exploded before long – after the blaze broke out in the brick building at 34 State Street shortly before 8:30 p.m. Monday. Morena and Ellington carried the woman to the second floor and handed her over to members of the Teaneck Volunteer Ambu…
EPIC PAIL: Gasoline Explosion Burns Paramus Resident EPIC PAIL: Gasoline Explosion Burns Paramus Resident
Epic Pail: Gasoline Explosion Burns Paramus Resident A Paramus resident who poured gasoline into a garbage pail to burn paper ended up burning himself, authorities said. The 54-year-old Nevada Street resident was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center after the pile exploded, burning his arm, around noontime Thursday, Dec. 29, Deputy Police Chief Robert M. Guidetti said. The flames were snuffed before borough firefighters arrived, the deputy chief said. The borough Fire Prevention Bureau was notified, he said. Gasoline is dangerous in confined spaces because the fumes explode -- and not the liquid itself. Experts urge you to: Never…
Child Hospitalized In Deadly Overnight CO Leak In Hawthorne: Here's What You Should Know Child Hospitalized In Deadly Overnight CO Leak In Hawthorne: Here's What You Should Know
Child Hospitalized In Deadly Overnight CO Leak In Hawthorne: Here's What You Should Know A working carbon monoxide alarm hopefully prevented a holiday-season tragedy before dawn Monday in Hawthorne, responders said. A child was hospitalized for potential CO poisoning during the overnight incident on Westervelt Avenue off North 14th Street on Dec. 12, they said. The youngster's condition couldn't immediately be determined. Other family members were treated and released, responders said. Hawthorne firefighters registered a reading of 301 parts per million (PPM) of the colorless, odorless gas on the second floor -- enough to cause almost certain death. The first-floor reading w…
Ferocious Fire Destroys Little Ferry Home Ferocious Fire Destroys Little Ferry Home
Ferocious Fire Destroys Little Ferry Home UPDATE: An overnight fire consumed a private home in Little Ferry. Everyone got out OK and no injuries were reported in the blaze, which broke out in the 2½-story residence on Franklin Street, just off Redneck Avenue, shortly before 2 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. Firefighters met heavy flames on the second floor and attic, quickly forcing them to work from the exterior. The fire on Franklin Avenue in Little Ferry broke out around 2 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, and spread quickly.Damien Danis for DAILY VOICE A short time later the roof and entire top floor collapsed. The roof and upper flo…
Deck Staining Rags Cause 2nd Hunterdon County House Fire In Weeks (PHOTOS) Deck Staining Rags Cause 2nd Hunterdon County House Fire In Weeks (PHOTOS)
Deck Staining Rags Cause 2nd Hunterdon County House Fire In Weeks (Photos) The cause of a weekend fire in Hunterdon County was attributed to several rags that were used to stain a deck, marking the second fire from the same cause in a matter of weeks, authorities said. The Quakertown Fire Company responded to the blaze on Pittstown Road in Franklin Township during the afternoon on Saturday, July 16. Upon arrival, the fire was nearly out — though a follow-up inspection determined that the house had gone up in flames as a result of several rags that were used for deck staining, the department said. Meanwhile, another fire that was reported within the last five wee…
Route 95 Tractor-Trailer Fire Jams Morning Rush Route 95 Tractor-Trailer Fire Jams Morning Rush
Route 95 Tractor-Trailer Fire Jams Morning Rush Firefighters doused an early morning tractor-trailer blaze that jammed early rush-hour traffic on Route 95. Flames spread across the highway after the fire broke out on the highway's southbound side near mile marker 117 in Ridgefield around 5 a.m., responders said.The rig, toting plastic corrugated tubing, was fully involved when firefighters arrived. Fort Lee firefighters brought a tanker and engine to assist. The blaze was knocked down within 20 minutes and under control within another half-hour, with firefighters briefly hitting hot spots. No injuries were reported.
'Red Flag' Warning Issued For NJ As Risk Of Serious Fires Rises Dramatically 'Red Flag' Warning Issued For NJ As Risk Of Serious Fires Rises Dramatically
'Red Flag' Warning Issued For NJ As Risk Of Serious Fires Rises Dramatically UPDATE: A "red flag" warning continues throughout the end of the week in New Jersey out of concern that dry conditions with gusty winds could turn what ordinarily would be common brush blazes into fiercely destructive wildfires. That means watching your butts, smokers. And no campfires, bonfires or charcoal cookouts. A hazardous weather warning from the National Weather Service continued through Thursday, April 28, as well as Friday, because of the conditions. Those are: wind gusts of 35 to 45 miles an hour in some areas, humidity as low as 15% and a snowball's chance in hell of rain any …
Big Brush Fire At Bergen-Rockland Border Threatens Home Big Brush Fire At Bergen-Rockland Border Threatens Home
Big Brush Fire At Bergen-Rockland Border Threatens Home A brush fire along the Bergen/Rockland border temporarily closed the Ramapo Reservation after sending a column of smoke skyward that could be seen in Westchester. A live wire smoldering on a tree apparently ignited the blaze on Brandt Road in the Ramapo Mountains in Hillburn, bringing firefighters from both counties, shortly before 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 15. Of immediate concern was the non-profit Tevaland animal sanctuary on the New York side, as well as a home on Split Rock Road in Mahwah with propane tanks. Neither was damaged, responders said. "We are grateful to all the firefighters…
Mahwah, Wyckoff Firefighters Assist Franklin Lakes Colleagues At Apartment Building CO Incident Mahwah, Wyckoff Firefighters Assist Franklin Lakes Colleagues At Apartment Building CO Incident
Mahwah, Wyckoff Firefighters Assist Franklin Lakes Colleagues At Apartment Building CO Incident Substantial carbon monoxide buildup at an apartment complex under construction in Franklin Lakes brought firefighters from multiple departments over the weekend. A contractor was using several gas power washers in the parking garage, which sent a large amount of carbon monoxide through the four floors of the Tice Road building late Saturday morning, March 19, borough fire officials said. Wyckoff firefighters brought a ladder and Mahwah firefighters their fan boat, which helped their fellow Franklin Lakes smoke eaters ventilate the building.  Tice Road, Franklin LakesFranklin Lakes Volu…
Hackensack Woman Burned On Face, Chest After Cigarette Ignites Oxygen Tube Hackensack Woman Burned On Face, Chest After Cigarette Ignites Oxygen Tube
Hackensack Woman Burned On Face, Chest After Cigarette Ignites Oxygen Tube A Hackensack smoker on home oxygen suffered burns on her chest and face after her cigarette ignited an apartment fire, authorities said. The 50-something victim was alert when she was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center following Wednesday's mishap at the Quail Heights Apartments on Prospect Avenue, city Fire Capt. Justin Derevyanik said. A man who doused the fire sustained minor burns but declined medical attention, Derevyanik said. Fire officials were investigating, the captain said. Oxygen therapy ordinarily is prescribed to people with certain cardiac or respiratory conditi…
Pre-Dawn Blaze Destroys Fire Safety Business, Apartments In Garfield Pre-Dawn Blaze Destroys Fire Safety Business, Apartments In Garfield
Pre-Dawn Blaze Destroys Fire Safety Business, Apartments In Garfield Flames blew through the roof and upper-floor windows of a Garfield building that houses a fire safety business and apartments, authorities said. First-responding police officers got four tenants of apartments above Firematic Safety Equipment out before part of a roof and stairwell collapsed in the two-story River Drive building shortly after 4:30 a.m., Police Capt. Richard Uram said. Firefighters battling the intense blaze from the exterior needed about an hour and a half to get the bulk of it knocked down. They had it under control another hour and a half later. No serious injuries were …
8 Kids, 4 Adults Dead In 'Devastating' Philadelphia Fire 8 Kids, 4 Adults Dead In 'Devastating' Philadelphia Fire
8 Kids, 4 Adults Dead In 'Devastating' Philadelphia Fire Eight children and four adults were confirmed dead in a fire that swept through a Philadelphia rowhouse early Wednesday morning, city officials said. Had the smoke alarms in the N. 23 Street building been working properly, though, things might have turned out differently, Mayor Jim Kenney's office said in a news release.  “This is, without a doubt, one of the most tragic days in our city’s history,” said Kenney, the son of a firefighter, at a news conference Wednesday. “Losing so many kids is just devastating.” Fire companies arrived at 6:40 a.m. and found heavy fire coming …
Earphones Recalled After Catching Fire, Burning Several People:  CPSC Earphones Recalled After Catching Fire, Burning Several People:  CPSC
Earphones Recalled After Catching Fire, Burning Several People: Cpsc E-filliate has issued a recall for their DEWALT Jobsite Pro Wireless Earphones, after many reports of the earphones overheating, bursting into flames, or causing minor burns to consumers. The mobile accessory store says it has received 61 reports of the earphones overheating during charging or use, including five reports of fire and four reports of minor burn injuries. Recalled DEWALT Jobsite Pro Wireless EarphonesConsumer Product Safety Commission The wireless earphones were sold at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other electronics stores and hardware stores nationwide and online at www.cyberg…
Homeowner Helps Douse Hackensack House Fire Homeowner Helps Douse Hackensack House Fire
Homeowner Helps Douse Hackensack House Fire A Hackensack homeowner used a fire extinguisher to knock down some of a flash kitchen fire, responders said. Members of Engine Co. 5 doused the rest of the Clinton Place fire, which broke out shortly before 7:30 p.m. Thursday, city firefighters said. Other companies checked and ventilated the home. No injuries were reported. Hackensack Fire Dept.HACKENSACK FD Keeping fire extinguishers in key spots around a home is critical to fire safety, but more so in the kitchen than anywhere. Cooking equipment is the leading cause of reported home fires and injuries -- and reportedly is responsi…
Bergenfield Home Ravaged By Fire Bergenfield Home Ravaged By Fire
Bergenfield Home Ravaged By Fire UPDATE: Fire ravaged a Bergenfield home early Friday. A resident and her son got out safely after the three-alarm East Clinton Avenue blaze -- just off South Washington Avenue -- broke out around 7 a.m., friends and neighbors said. Flames tore through the second floor into the attic as the fire spread. Firefighters had the blaze doused within an hour, then remained to douse pockets of flame. A home behind it also was evacuated out of an abundance of caution. From South Washington Avenue.Chris Cudina for DAILY VOICE Mutual aid responders included firefighters from Bogota, Dumont, En…
NJ Man Dies Trying To Light Fire Pit, Police Say NJ Man Dies Trying To Light Fire Pit, Police Say
NJ Man Dies Trying To Light Fire Pit, Police Say A 56-year-old Union County man died while trying to light a fire pit but instead sparked an explosion that may have killed him, local police said. Officers arriving at the home on Warwick Road in Hillside found the man with burns covering nearly 75 percent of his body just before 4 p.m. Monday, Hillside Police Det. Natalie Ogonowski said. The man likely added an unknown accelerant to light the fire pit, causing an explosion, Ogonowki said.
Property Owner From Wayne Charged In Sussex County House Fire That Killed Teen Girl Property Owner From Wayne Charged In Sussex County House Fire That Killed Teen Girl
Property Owner From Wayne Charged In Sussex County House Fire That Killed Teen Girl The 48-year-old owner of a Sussex County home was charged in connection to a fire that caused the death a 13-year-old girl at the property last month, authorities announced. Walter Biller, of Wayne, failed to obtain or file for proper occupancy and fire safety-related documentation before completing the lease agreement with the Davenport family in 2019, Franklin Borough police said. Therefor, he was charged in the March 19 fire at the Nestor Street home, in which 13-year-old Heaven Davenport died, authorities said. Biller was arrested on March 31, on accusations he violated laws …
Firefighter Falls Through Floor While Dousing Morris County Residential Blaze Firefighter Falls Through Floor While Dousing Morris County Residential Blaze
Firefighter Falls Through Floor While Dousing Morris County Residential Blaze A firefighter fell through the floor while dousing a stubborn house fire in Morris County Monday evening, authorities said. The blaze broke out just after 6 p.m. at a home on Sandshore Road in Budd Lake, the Hackettstown Fire Department said. Several surrounding fire companies responded to a mayday transmitted for a fireman who fell through the floor and into the basement, authorities said. The mayday was later canceled after an attic ladder was passed down to the firefighter to help him escape safely, the department said. No injuries were reported in the fire, authorities said. The Scho…
How Safe Is Your Chimney? NJ House Fire Serves As Critical Reminder How Safe Is Your Chimney? NJ House Fire Serves As Critical Reminder
How Safe Is Your Chimney? NJ House Fire Serves As Critical Reminder Firefighters quickly doused a smoky chimney blaze in Cresskill Wednesday night. Fortunately, it didn't cause the kind of damage that's possible when homeowners aren't vigilant. The Chestnut Street resident safely fled the two-alarm 11:30 p.m. blaze, Fire Chief Christopher S. Ulshoefer said. No injuries were reported. The fire, which damaged the first and second floors, was declared under control in about 20 minutes, the chief said. Mutual aid responders at the scene or in coverage included firefighters from Demarest, Dumont and Tenafly. NOTE: A vast majority of the more than 25,000 chimne…
PHOTOS: Fire Destroys Ridgefield Multi-Family Home PHOTOS: Fire Destroys Ridgefield Multi-Family Home
Photos: Fire Destroys Ridgefield Multi-Family Home Flames blew through the roof of a two-family Ridgefield home on Monday. All residents got out safely and no one was injured in the two-alarm noontime blaze, Fire Chief David Brierty said. Firefighters found the second floor and basement of the Walnut Street house fully involved, Brierty said. Part of the roof collapsed soon after. Brierty declared the blaze under control shortly before 2 p.m., the chief said. Firefighters continued to hit hot spots after that. The cause appeared accidental, Brierty said. An investigation was continuing. Mutual aid responders included firefighters from…
Palisades Park Firefighters Battle Extreme Heat, Terrain To Douse House Blaze Palisades Park Firefighters Battle Extreme Heat, Terrain To Douse House Blaze
Palisades Park Firefighters Battle Extreme Heat, Terrain To Douse House Blaze It wasn’t the easiest job: The air was thick, with temperatures still in the high 80s, when a fire broke out in a home on a Palisades Park hill at the top of a private driveway. Borough firefighters lugging hoses and ground ladders doused the Monday night blaze -- saving the house -- with no serious injuries. An air conditioning unit in back of the Chateau Road home ignited, sending flames up the vinyl siding, then into a soffit and roof rafter, shortly before 8 p.m., Fire Chief John Mantone said. Mantone’s firefighters had help at the scene from their colleagues from Ridgefield and Leoni…
VIDEO: Hoarding Conditions Accelerate New Milford House Fire, Responders Say VIDEO: Hoarding Conditions Accelerate New Milford House Fire, Responders Say
Video: Hoarding Conditions Accelerate New Milford House Fire, Responders Say UPDATE: Flames ravaged what responders said was a cluttered New Milford home Thursday night. A firefighter sustained a relatively minor injury in the three alarm fire, which began in the basement of the 2½-story Henley Avenue home at the corner of Asbury Street around 9:30 p.m., responders said. No other injuries were reported. Firefighters initially had trouble pinpointing the seat of the blaze because of hoarding conditions -- commonly called "Collyers mansion syndrome" after two wealthy Harlem brothers who died in a 1947 fire amid stacks of newspapers, books, tin cans and rotting trash.…
Firefighters Battle Fourth Of July Blaze At Former Diner Near GWB In Fort Lee Firefighters Battle Fourth Of July Blaze At Former Diner Near GWB In Fort Lee
Firefighters Battle Fourth Of July Blaze At Former Diner Near GWB In Fort Lee A firefighter was hospitalized in a destructive Fourth of July fire at the site of the former Plaza Diner near the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, responders said. The extent of injuries wasn’t immediately known. The fire, believed to be accidental, broke out in the rear of the Koryeo Grill on Lemoine Avenue around 7:45 a.m., authorities said. It quickly spread, forcing firefighters to battle it from the exterior. They had the blaze under control within two hours. The injured firefighter was brought to Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, responders said, adding that two others sus…