Fire Fighters Make Quick Work of Christmas Day Oven Fire
photos courtesy of the New Milford Volunteer Fire Department (NMFD)
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
NEW MILFORD, NJ — While most families were gathered around the tree opening gifts on Christmas morning, the New Milford Volunteer Fire Department (NMFD) was rushing to the scene of a potentially devastating structure fire.
At approximately 11:00 a.m. on December 25, 2025, fire crews were dispatched to a residence on Center Street following reports of an oven fire. The quick actions of local volunteers prevented what could have been a holiday tragedy.
🔥 Rapid Response on Center Street
Chief 30 and Unit 302 were the first on the scene, reporting heavy smoke billowing from the front door. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the call was immediately upgraded to a working fire assignment.
The Attack
-
Engine 34 and Squad 36 arrived within minutes, stretching a hose line directly into the kitchen.
-
The fire had already begun to “climb,” spreading from the oven up the kitchen walls and into the ceiling.
-
Crews achieved a quick knockdown, stopping the flames before they could consume the upper floor of the multi-unit dwelling.
Checking for Extension
Once the main body of the fire was extinguished, the crew of Truck 31 performed “overhaul”—tearing into walls and pulling down ceiling sections to ensure no hidden embers remained that could reignite the home later in the day.
🤝 Strength in Numbers: Tri-Boro Mutual Aid
The New Milford Fire Department was supported by an impressive showing of “Battalion 9” mutual aid partners. In a display of community coordination, neighboring departments took on critical roles:
-
Oradell & River Edge: Performed primary searches in adjacent units to ensure all residents were safely out and assisted in cutting power and utilities to the building.
-
Dumont: Served as the RIT (Rapid Intervention Team), standing by to rescue any firefighters should they have become trapped or injured.
The scene was placed under control and all units were released approximately one hour after the initial call.
🚒 No Rest for the Weary: A Second Call
Proving that the life of a volunteer firefighter is never quiet, crews had barely returned to their stations for 10 minutes when they were toned out again.
A fire alarm on Luhmann Drive sent trucks back into the streets. Fortunately, this second incident turned out to be “burnt food” rather than a second structure fire, allowing the volunteers to finally return to their own Christmas dinners.
🛡️ Kitchen Safety Reminder
Oven and cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires during the holiday season. The NMFD reminds residents to:
-
Stay in the Kitchen: Never leave frying, grilling, or broiling food unattended.
-
Keep it Clean: Built-up grease in ovens can easily ignite at high temperatures.
-
Call 911 Immediately: Even if you think the fire is out, smoke inside walls can indicate a much larger problem.
Tell your story #TheRidgewoodblog , #Indpendentnews, #information, #advertise, #guestpost, #affiliatemarketing,#NorthJersey, #NJ , #News, #localnews, #bergencounty, #sponsoredpost, #SponsoredContent, #contentplacement , #linkplacement, Email: [email protected]
