Eight Pets Lost in Devastating River Vale House Fire; Investigation Ongoing

photos courtesy of River Vale Fire Department

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

River Vale NJ, a quiet Tuesday afternoon in River Vale, NJ, turned tragic this week as a fast-moving structure fire claimed the lives of eight beloved pets. Local authorities and fire crews from across the region responded to the scene at 242 Highland Avenue on February 17, 2026, battling heavy smoke and flames that gutted portions of the residence.

The Scene at Highland Avenue

The River Vale Fire Department (Department 53) was dispatched at approximately 4:00 PM following reports of a structure fire. Upon arrival, Chief 53-1 reported heavy fire visible from the rear of the home, with thick smoke billowing from all sides.

Key Firefighting Details:

• Primary Locations: The bulk of the fire was concentrated in the attic and the rear kitchen area.

• Tactical Response: Firefighters utilized an inch and three-quarter handline for suppression while ladder crews performed vertical ventilation on the roof.

• Search Operations: Crews from River Vale, Hillsdale, and Westwood conducted primary and secondary searches of the home.

A Heartbreaking Loss for Local Homeowners

While no residents were home at the time of the blaze and no human injuries were reported, the toll on the household’s pets was severe.

Emergency responders removed multiple cats from the residence during the operation. Tragically, eight cats were killed in the fire. A ninth cat was rescued and immediately transported to a local animal hospital for emergency treatment.

A Massive Multi-Agency Effort

The incident quickly escalated to a second-alarm fire, requiring an extensive mutual aid network to bring the flames under control. The River Vale Fire Department expressed gratitude to the following partners:

• New Jersey Crews: Old Tappan, Westwood, Hillsdale, Harrington Park, and Park Ridge.

• New York Crews: Pearl River and Orangeburg.

• Support: Closter Fire (standby coverage), plus EMS units from Westwood, Hillsdale, and River Vale.

“The fire remains under investigation,” stated Captain Josh Wisse of the River Vale Police.

As of now, the cause of the blaze has not been determined. Local officials are working to uncover the origin of the fire that started in the kitchen and attic areas.

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