Dramatic Hillsdale House Fire: 10 Firefighters Rushed to Hospital After Terrifying Flashover
photos courtesy of the Hillsdale Fire Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hillsdale NJ, a routine early morning fire call in Hillsdale, turned into a dramatic rescue operation after a sudden flashover injured ten firefighters inside the burning home.
The blaze broke out shortly before 4 a.m. on Tuesday, October 21st, at a residence on 29 Ellen Court. While all residents were safely evacuated before firefighters arrived, the ensuing battle against the flames resulted in a terrifying moment for the responding crews.
Flashover Sends 10 Firefighters to the Hospital
The Hillsdale Fire Department (HFD) was dispatched at 3:46 a.m. for a reported roof fire. Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy fire conditions that had already extended into the attic. A “working-fire” assignment was declared, bringing in multiple mutual aid companies.
According to Chief William Farrell, conditions inside the home deteriorated rapidly due to a temporary loss of water supply. This critical failure led to a flashover—the near-simultaneous ignition of all flammable objects in an enclosed space due to superheated gases.
A “mayday” was transmitted, signaling that a firefighter was in distress or missing, but Chief Farrell confirmed the alarm was quickly cleared once all members were accounted for.
Massive EMS Response Coordinated on Scene
The Hillsdale Volunteer Ambulance Service (EMS) was on scene moments after the initial dispatch at 3:48 a.m. Their statement reported establishing an EMS Command post to manage the incident, noting that “Upon arrival, there was a flashover leading to multiple firefighters needing to be evaluated.”
In total, ten Hillsdale firefighters were treated for non-life-threatening injuries and transported to area hospitals. The scale of the injuries required a massive coordinated emergency medical response, including units from:
- Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps
- Hackensack Meridian Health ALS
- Valley Health System ALS
- Holy Name Hospital BLS
- The Mass Casualty Response Unit from the Englewood Hospital EMS Task Force
Fire and EMS crews operated for nearly two hours, with the scene being officially cleared at 5:41 a.m.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the fire remains under active investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Squad and the Hillsdale Fire Marshal.
Chief Farrell extended his gratitude to the Hillsdale Police, all mutual aid partners, and the responding EMS units for their critical assistance. The Hillsdale Fire Department shared the Chief’s announcement, adding, “We appreciate the well-wishes for all our members.”
The intense response, including the “insistent wail” of the town’s fire/flood alarm, was reportedly heard by thousands across the Pascack Valley early Tuesday morning.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the following information regarding an investigation into the two-alarm fire that occurred on Ellen Court in Hillsdale, NJ, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. This joint investigation was conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Hillsdale Police Department, under the direction of Chief Travis Woods.
On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, beginning at approximately 3:30 a.m., the Hillsdale Police Department and Hillsdale Fire Department, along with subsequent mutual aid from surrounding police and fire agencies, responded to a two-alarm fire at a private residence on Ellen Court. Upon arrival, first responders ensured the residence was evacuated. During fire suppression, multiple firefighters from the Hillsdale Fire Department, along with some firefighters from assisting agencies, suffered non-life-threatening burns and other minor injuries. They were transported to area hospitals for evaluation and treatment. No residents were injured, and the firefighters’ injuries were not considered serious.
The Hillsdale Police Department notified the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Squad of the fire and requested assistance from the Arson Task Force. Arson investigators from the Prosecutor’s Office responded to the scene and initiated a joint investigation with the Hillsdale Police Department, Hillsdale Fire Department, and Hillsdale Fire Prevention Bureau. The investigation that was conducted by the Bergen County Arson Squad, alongside local fire officials, revealed that the fire was not suspicious in nature.
Prosecutor Musella would like to thank the Hillsdale Police Department, Hillsdale Fire Department, and the surrounding fire departments that supplied mutual-aid assistance during the response to this fire. Additionally, Prosecutor Musella thanks the Washington Township Police Department and the Teaneck Fire Department for their participation in the Bergen County Arson Task Force.
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