Candle Causes Small House Fire

A tipped-over candle ignited a small fire last week, according to the Ridgewood Fire Department.

Responding to a smoke detector, a resident found a tablecloth on fire March 27. The resident put the fire out with water, and contributed the incident to a fallen candle.

Ridgewood fire officials responded to the home on Highland Avenue as a precautionary measure. There was no structural damage, but the tablecloth was destroyed, Fire Chief James Bombace said.

Other fire news:

The Ridgewood Fire Department responded to 88 requests for assistance from March 21 to April 3. Description/cumber of calls:

• Fire of a single-family home: 1    
• Illegal burning: 2
• Medical calls: 26    
• Assist citizen locked out of home: 5    
• Removal citizen from stalled elevator: 3    
• Motor vehicle accidents: 3    
• Natural gas leaks: 2     
• Electrical equipment short circuits: 5       
• Wires down in roadway: 2        
• Hazardous water conditions: 17         
• Smoke or odor investigations: 6           
• Alarm malfunctions: 4        
• Accidental alarms: 12

Announcements:

The Ridgewood Fire Department has obtained smoke detectors donated by Kidde through the WABC Operation Save-A-Life Program for residents. These detectors are being made available at no cost to senior citizens living on a fixed income or families with low incomes. Please contact Fire Chief James Bombace at 201-444-8822 if you would like to receive these free smoke detectors.

The Ridgewood Volunteer Fire Department is currently understaffed and looking for new members. Volunteer firefighters assist members of the career department at major fires, during storms or anytime the on-duty shift needs additional personnel at an emergency scene. All training and equipment will be provided by the fire department at no cost to the individual. Volunteer firefighters attend training drills Mondays between the hours of 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer member of the Ridgewood Fire Department you can learn more by calling the Ridgewood Fire Department at 201-444-4224 or by visiting its Web site.

Information courtesy of the Ridgewood Fire Department.