Ridgefield NJ 2nd alarm gas explosion, 360 Abbott Ave. 6-17-19

At just before 11:30 on June 17th 2019, Bergen County Communications started receiving multiple calls for a house explosion on Abbott Ave. Prior to FD arrival several Ridgefield Police Officers, 1 off duty, arrived to find the home totaly obliterated and the pile of debris heavily involved in fire but could hear someone moaning from under the rubble, they were able to remove the lone occupant of the home whom was trapped under the debris. The occupant was turned over to EMS with 2nd and 3rd degree burns. Upon arrival of the FD, command reported the 2.5 story home completely destroyed with heavy fire, a 2nd alarm was requested and all incoming engines were advised to grab hydrants. Multiple hand lines and ground monitors were put into operation protecting the exposures until PSE&G, the local gas company, could access the valve and shut off the gas. Once the gas was secured, co's were able to knock down all the visible fire although hot spots continued to burn under the debris. The incident was placed PWH in approximately 90 mins although co's remained on the scene for several hours. Several surrounding homes suffered damage from the explosion and radiant heat, sadly the homeowner died from his injuries in the hospital the following day but no other civilians and no firefighters were injured.