5-Alarm Bogota Fire Hospitalizes Woman; Prosecutors Give Update

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — After a fire in Bogota routed 13 families from an apartment building and sent a woman to the hospital on Sunday, the prosecutor's office said the cause of the blaze is not suspicious, and gave other updates.

Bogota's Engine Company No. 1 had said on Sunday that around 2 p.m., they sped to a building on Palisade Avenue on a report of smoke.

After discovering a fire in the cockloft on the top floor, "An aggressive effort was made for nearly an hour by all Bogota Fire Companies and our mutual aid partners," they reported. "Companies went to a defensive attack and were able to bring the fire under control."

One person was taken to the hospital and 13 families were displaced, they said. The Red Cross helped those in need.

Updates From Prosecutors

On Tuesday, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office said that the woman was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center for smoke inhalation, but "her injuries are not believed to be serious."

They said that the county Arson Squad and several Bogota departments had investigated the fire.

"The investigation...revealed that it does not appear suspicious in nature," prosecutors said.

They did not release further information.

The work of the local Fire Department was praised by commenters on social media.

"The Super Bowl wasn't played in New Orleans," wrote one man. "It was played on Palisade Ave and the members of the Bogota Fire Department won. Your drilling and hose loads paid off. Running the saws weekly paid off..." Read more on the Bogota Fire Engine Co. 1 page.