Working Smoke Detectors Credited for Saving Lives as Massive Blaze Engulfs Terrace Street Garage
photos courtesy of the Park Ridge Volunteer Fire Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
PARK RIDGE, NJ – A North Jersey family is safe today following a terrifying midnight ordeal. Just before 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday night, a three-alarm fire broke out at a residence on Terrace Street, drawing a massive response from nearly a dozen local fire departments.
While the home sustained extensive damage, the outcome could have been far worse if not for a small piece of household technology: a working smoke detector.
A Midnight Emergency on Terrace Street
The call came in at 11:48 p.m., according to Park Ridge Police Lt. James Babcock. When first responders arrived on the scene, they were met with a harrowing sight: the home’s attached garage was completely engulfed in flames, with fire extending 5 to 10 feet up the side of the residence.
Fortunately, the residents were already safely outside when police arrived.
“The presence of working smoke detectors quickly alerted the residents to the fire in their home,” said Park Ridge Fire Chief Richard Bosi. “This early detection and notification aided the Fire Department in keeping the fire contained to the garage and a small area of the basement.”
A Massive Mutual Aid Effort
Because of the intensity of the blaze, the call was quickly upgraded to a three-alarm fire, triggering a massive mutual aid response from across the Pascack Valley and beyond.
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On-Scene Support: Firefighters from Emerson, Hillsdale, Montvale, and Woodcliff Lake joined the Park Ridge Volunteer Fire Department and River Vale Fire Department to battle the flames.
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Standby Coverage: To ensure the rest of the region remained protected, fire crews from Saddle River, Old Tappan, and Pearl River, N.Y. provided coverage for the neighboring towns.
Through the coordinated effort of these departments, the fire was officially brought under control by 12:13 a.m., just 25 minutes after the initial report.
The Aftermath: Damage and Investigation
While there were no injuries reported, the home is currently uninhabitable. The family has been relocated for the time being due to the “extensive damage” caused by the fire and smoke.
The Park Ridge Fire Department and local authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire.
A Critical Reminder for Homeowners
This incident serves as a stark reminder of why fire safety officials stress the importance of smoke alarms. Chief Bosi emphasized that without that early warning, the fire likely would have spread throughout the entire structure before the family could have escaped.
Is your home protected? Now is the perfect time to:
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Test your smoke detectors (press the button until it beeps).
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Change the batteries if you haven’t in the last six months.
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Check the manufacture date—smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years.
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