Saddle Brook Fire Destroys Home of Late Ridgewood HS Principal & Veteran Firefighter

Tragedy Strikes Family of Late Ridgewood High Principal: Massive Fire Destroys Saddle Brook Home

photos courtesy of the Saddle Brook Volunteer Fire Department

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

SADDLE BROOK, NJ — A community already marked by the loss of a local legend is rallying once again after a devastating fire tore through the home of the late Basil Pizzuto on Wednesday, April 8.

The fast-moving inferno broke out just before 5 p.m. at the family residence on Harrison Avenue, leaving the widow and three children of the beloved educator and firefighter facing an uphill battle to recover.

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A “Massive Inferno” in Saddle Brook

The blaze at 71 Harrison Ave. drew a massive response from local and surrounding departments. Firefighters from Lodi, Rochelle Park, and Wallington provided mutual aid to Saddle Brook crews as they battled the flames.

While the home suffered significant damage, authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Remembering Basil Pizzuto: A Legacy of Service

The tragedy is especially poignant for the Saddle Brook and Ridgewood communities. The home is owned by the family of Basil Pizzuto, the esteemed Ridgewood High School Assistant Principal and veteran volunteer firefighter who passed away suddenly in 2022 at the age of 49.

Pizzuto was a pillar of the region, known for:

• 24 Years at Ridgewood High: Starting as a math teacher and rising to Assistant Principal.

• 32 Years of Service: A volunteer firefighter in Saddle Brook since the age of 16.

• Community Leadership: Leading the music ministry at St. Philip’s.

How to Help: Support for Owen, Adrianna, and Aiden

In the wake of the fire, the community has jumped into action. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support Pizzuto’s children—Owen, Adrianna, and Aiden—and his widow as they navigate the loss of their home and belongings.

As of Thursday morning, more than $7,000 has already been raised, but the needs remain extensive as the family assesses the total loss of the structure and personal property.

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