Firefighters battled the blaze for approximately three hours,in the Freezing Cold
photos courtesy of the Montvale Fire Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, Quick thinking and a coordinated mutual aid response saved a local home this morning after a wood-burning stove incident escalated into a major structure fire.
At 08:02 hours on Friday, January 30, 2026, the Montvale Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a single-family residence following reports of a smoking wood-burning stove. What began as a routine call quickly turned critical.
“Heavy Fire” Upon Arrival
Captain Hopper was the first officer on the scene, immediately discovering heavy fire venting from both the front and back doors of the home. Recognizing the severity of the situation, he transitioned the call to a “working fire assignment” to bring in additional resources.
Command Structure:
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Incident Commander: Chief Gibbons
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Operations Lead: Deputy Chief Cintineo
Firefighters battled the blaze for approximately three hours, performing aggressive interior and exterior attacks to knock down the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring properties.
The Power of Mutual Aid
In a display of seamless regional cooperation, several departments from across the Pascack Valley and Rockland County rushed to assist Montvale. This massive team effort was essential in bringing the multi-alarm fire under control.
A special thank you to our responding partners:
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Park Ridge Volunteer Fire Department
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Woodcliff Lake Fire Department
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Pearl River Hook & Ladder Co #1
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River Vale Fire Department
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Old Tappan Volunteer Fire Department
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Hillsdale Fire Department
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South Spring Valley Fire Department
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Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Corps
The Best News: Despite the heavy damage to the structure, we are relieved to report that there were no injuries to residents or first responders.
Important Winter Fire Safety Reminder
As temperatures remain low in Bergen County, many residents are utilizing secondary heating sources. To keep your home safe:
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Inspect your stoves: Ensure wood-burning stoves and chimneys are cleaned and inspected annually.
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Clear the Area: Keep flammable materials at least three feet away from any heating source.
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Monitor Closely: Never leave a wood-burning stove unattended while in use.
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