Family Displaced After Teaneck Blaze

Firefighters faced extreme heat and arcing electrical wires as they worked to knock down a stubborn two-alarm blaze that forced a Garrison Avenue family from their home Saturday, officials said.

Teaneck fire crews were on the scene within three minutes after a call came in at 1:11 p.m. reporting smoke coming from a house at the corner of Wyndham Road, Fire Chief Anthony Verley said in a statement. Crews arrived to find heavy smoke pouring from the chimney and basement windows.

Firefighters first tried to enter the basement but were pushed back by the heat, Verley said. Crews were able to extinguish the basement fire after firefighters ventilated the windows. The flames had traveled up through the walls, spreading to the first and second floors.

“This fire got a head start due to delayed notification as it was in the walls,” said Teaneck Fire Department Battalion Chief Joseph Zbierski, who was in command at the scene.

Teaneck and Hackensack firefighters battled the flames through the attic, with crews on a township tower ladder cutting a ventilation hole in the roof.

“The fire attack was also delayed due to arcing electrical wires on the front of the building as well as in the basement,” the chief said.

Fire crews worked for about an hour before they were forced out by spreading flames, Verley reported. Teaneck and Hackensack crews continued the fight the flames using water guns from their fire trucks outside.

The residents were home when the fire broke out and escaped without injury, Battalion Chief Richard Paratore said Sunday. It was not immediately clear how many people were home or where they had relocated.

An investigation into the cause of the fire was ongoing. Fire officials said the residents reported the lights went out on the first and second floor while running a dryer before the fire.

Firefighters also responded to a report of lights going out across the street, officials said.

The fire chief reminded residents of the importance of working smoke detectors.

“I cannot emphasize enough the need to have working smoke detectors on every level of your house” Verley stated. “These life saving devices are critical for your family.”

Englewood, Bogota and Hackensack firefighters joined Teaneck crews at the scene. Ridgefield Park, Bergenfield and Bogota fire crews stood by at Teaneck’s fire headquarters along with recalled Teaneck firefighters. The Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Box 54 and the town’s building department were also called in.

Related: 

VIDEO: Firefighters Knock Down Teaneck Blaze

RAW VIDEO: House Fire on Garrison Avenue in Teaneck