Family Forced From Home By New Year's Day Fire In Paramus, Officials Say

PARAMUS, NJ — A family of five was forced from their home by an early-morning fire on New Year's Day, Paramus police said.

The fire at 33 Spring Valley Road was reported just before 2 a.m., Police Chief Robert Guidetti said.

The family — two adults and three children — was evacuating the two-and-a-half-story home when firefighters arrived, officials said.

There were no reported injuries.

Guidetti said New Year's fireworks initially were believed to have sparked the blaze, but Fire Chief Daniel Perez said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

"Although fireworks were mentioned ... the investigation did not reveal any evidence suggesting this," Perez said.

The fire caused extensive damage, Perez said, forcing the family to find other housing.

The Red Cross posted on social media that they had helped with temporary housing for the family.

"Our Disaster Action Team responded to a home fire on Spring Valley Ave in Paramus, helping a family of 5 with emergency assistance for temporary lodging, food, clothing, and other immediate needs," they wrote on X. "Disaster Health and Mental Health Services are also available to the family."

Paramus' volunteer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) posted on social media that they had set up water, hot beverages, snacks, and towels for the emergency crews during the blaze.

See video of firefighters battling the blaze below.