Ridgefield NJ 2nd alarm, 616 Elm Ave. 6-22-19

In the early morning of June 22nd 2019 at just around 04:15 Ridgefield NJ Police received a call from a neighbor reporting a house on fire behind hers. As the fire department was dispatched, arriving police officers located the house at 616 Elm Ave and reported a working fire with heavy fire in the rear. On arrival of the 1st chief officer a 2nd alarm was requested bringing mutual aid co's to the scene. The home was 1-1/2 story frame and as lines were stretched through the front door the co's were hampered by hoarding conditions. while the attack lines advanced into the home the truck went to the roof to ventilate, soon after completing the vent heavy fire started blowing through the vent hole and heavy black smoke was pushing from the gable vents. With conditions deteriorating, command order all members out of the building. Ladder 1 put their ladder pipe into operation along with several exterior hand lines, Cliffside Park Ladder 1 positioned for possible use of their ladder pipe as well. after approximately 20 minutes the heavy fire was knocked down and lines were stretched back in to complete extinguishment and overhaul. No injuries are known to have been reported, the home suffered heavy damage and the cause is under investigation.