photos courtesy of the Office of Mayor Michael Serra
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Pompton Lakes NJ, early in the day Public Service Electric & Gas has confirmed “a possible explosion” at a home on Ramapo Avenue in Pompton Lakes. “PSE&G responded to the scene and turned off the gas at 3 a.m. at the curb,” said PSE&G spokesperson Rebecca Mazzarella.
Pompton Lakes Fire Chief Ron Fusaro was busy at the scene so No further information was provided. “An investigation is underway so we can’t speculate on a cause,” said Mazzarella.
From The Office of Mayor Michael Serra, “Early this morning we had a house explosion. Five of our own volunteer firemen were inside the home when it happened. Two were sent to the hospital with non life threatening injuries . No other injuries were reported. Everyday our volunteer organizations put their life on the line for Pompton Lakes . We all appreciate it.”
As the day went on we received further clarification of what went on.
A late night fire was called in by a Pompton Lakes police patrol driving down Riverdale Avenue in the area of Ramapo Road. Pompton Lakes Police were able to evacuate the one lone resident of the house ,who told officials he didn’t know how the fire started.
The house was inundated with smoke when Pompton Lakes firefighters arrived and a team of three firefighters entered the home and proceeded to the basement, where they believed the fire was. Another team of two followed behind them, along with the assistant chief. It was then that the building exploded. The explosion “blew the roof right off” shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday morning, destroying the house and injuring the firefighters.
According to Pompton Lakes fire official John Keating ,none of the six firefighters suffered life threatening injuries, though two were transported to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston to be treated for burns. They were later released. The other four were treated on scene.
The fire was brought under control by 3:30 a.m., with firefighters from Pompton Lakes, Riverdale, Pequannock, Wanaque and Bloomingdale .
“An investigation is underway so we can’t speculate on a cause,” said PSE&G spokesperson Rebecca Mazzarella.
