Firefighters faced a “stubborn fire” compounded by severe winter conditions

photos courtesy of the Oradell Fire Department

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

ORADELL, NJ – On one of the coldest weekends of the year, Oradell firefighters and mutual aid crews faced “the most adverse conditions imaginable” as they battled a devastating two-alarm blaze that destroyed a local home.

The Initial Response at 43 Poplar Ave.

The emergency began on Saturday, Feb. 7, at approximately 6:21 p.m. Oradell Police Officers Kevin Bernal and Luke Fisher were the first to arrive at 43 Poplar Ave., where they confirmed that the 83-year-old homeowner, John Pietranera, had safely escaped the burning structure.

The Oradell Fire Department, led by Fire Chief Terry Moran, arrived minutes later. Despite the extreme cold and high winds, crews launched an aggressive interior attack. However, the weather quickly became a major adversary.

Fighting Fire and Ice

Firefighters faced a “stubborn fire” compounded by severe winter conditions. High winds fanned the flames while near-zero temperatures caused water nozzles and equipment to freeze. Ice buildup on the scene limited mobility, making an already dangerous job even more treacherous.

Fire Chief Terry Moran noted that the likely cause of the fire was embers from a family room fireplace. While the fire was initially declared extinguished by 10:30 p.m. Saturday, the battle was far from over.

A Sunday Morning Rekindle

Tragedy struck again at 6:30 a.m. Sunday when neighbors reported a rekindle. Firefighters returned to find the home fully engulfed. The department requested extensive mutual aid to manage the flare-up in the ongoing frigid weather.

Units from Westwood, Emerson, River Edge, New Milford, Paramus, Dumont, Bergenfield, Haworth, and Teaneck all provided critical assistance over the course of the weekend.

Community Support for a Local Resident

Following the second battle, the remains of the home were razed. Mayor James Koth, who also served on the front lines as a firefighter, praised the determination of the responders.

“It’s a horrible tragedy to lose your home and your possessions,” Mayor Koth stated. “Oradell is a close-knit, caring community, and I am sure friends and neighbors will assist the homeowner in his time of need.”

Mr. Pietranera is currently staying with family members in town as the community rallies to support him.

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