A Bergen County Couple Lost Their Home on July 4th—Now They’re on a Mission to Help Local Firefighters
file photo courtesy of the River Edge Volunteer Fire Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
River Edge NJ, An Independence Day tragedy has transformed into a powerful mission of gratitude in Bergen County. On the Fourth of July, a devastating five-alarm blaze tore through multiple homes in River Edge, New Jersey, after storm-downed live electrical wires ignited a fast-moving fire. Among those who watched their home go up in flames were local residents Erin and Lou Zaccaro.
Yet, amidst total devastation, the couple found a profound reason to give back to the first responders who risked everything.
A Heartwarming Discovery in the Wreckage
As fire crews from River Edge, Oradell, New Milford, Hackensack, Paramus, and Teaneck battled the intense flames for hours, they went above and beyond the call of duty. Whenever it was safe to do so, firefighters made repeated entries into the burning structure to salvage the family’s most cherished belongings.
The next morning, while walking through the ruins of their property, the Zaccaros discovered just how far those crews had gone to protect what mattered most.
“Something else caught my eye: over a hundred empty water bottles scattered across the property. And our family portraits, not shattered on the floor, but carefully tucked under the bed covers upstairs, protected from the flames below,” the Zaccaro family shared. “In the middle of saving our home, they still took the time to protect what mattered most to us.”
Launching “Hydration for Heroes”
Moved by the sight of the empty water bottles and the sheer exhaustion of the crews working in the extreme summer heat, the Zaccaros learned a surprising fact: many local fire departments must buy their own water or rely on tightly stretched municipal operating budgets to keep responders hydrated during long emergency calls.
To ensure future crews have one less thing to worry about, the family launched the “Hydration for Heroes” GoFundMe campaign.
Their ultimate goal is deeply symbolic: donating 7,426 cases of bottled water to regional fire departments—a number that honors the date of the fire, July 4, 2026 ($7/4/26$).
How You Can Support Bergen County Firefighters
The fundraiser aims to supply a steady stream of water to local stations, ensuring first responders stay safe and hydrated during lengthy incidents without absorbing the financial burden themselves.
The community response has already been massive, with the campaign raising over $9,000 within days of launching.
If you want to support this local mission and give back to the brave men and women keeping North Jersey safe, you can contribute directly through the official Hydration for Heroes page on GoFundMe.
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