Fire Breaks Out At New Milford Nursing Home: Police

NEW MILFORD, NJ — More than a dozen people were treated for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out at a New Milford nursing home Thursday, police said.

A small fire broke out in a bed at CareOne at New Milford Thursday morning, said Detective Lt. Kevin Van Saders. Firefighters from New Milford, Oradell, and River Edge responded to the facility just before 9 a.m., he said.

People were trapped on the second floor, and heavy smoke was reported in the facility, fire officials said. Staff members, firefighters, and police officers evacuated residents to other parts of the facility.

Sixteen staff members were taken to local hospitals for smoke inhalation they suffered from while helping to evacuate residents, Van Saders said. No residents were injured, he said.

The building's fire suppression system extinguished the fire, which spread to a wall, Van Saders said.

Authorities do not know what caused the fire, but it does not appear suspicious, the lieutenant said. No further investigation was being conducted as of Monday morning.

A member of the New Milford Volunteer Fire Department could not be immediately reached for comment.

Ambulances from the Teaneck, River Edge, Bergenfield, and Dumont ambulance corps and from Hackensack University Medical Center and Holy Name Hospital went to the nursing home.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com