East Glen Fire in Historic Home Forces Families Out

All available Ridgewood firefighters were needed to extinguish a fire at a two-family residence on East Glen Avenue early Saturday.

A first-floor kitchen fire erupted into a larger fire at 12:40 a.m. As firefighters arrived on scene the blaze spread up the walls and into the attic, Fire Chief James Bombace said.

Around 25 firefighters—including off-duty and volunteer fire department members—were needed to fight the fire at 781 East Glen Avenue.

One fireman sustained minor burns to his ear, Bombace said. No residents were harmed.

The kitchen fire was contained around 2:30 a.m., Bombace reported this afternoon. However, smoldering debris behind attic items reignited and required additional attention. A general call went out at 2:52 a.m.

More than 12 hours following the initial call, fire and EMS crews still assisted in the house's cleanup. 

Saturday, members of both families removed belongings and sought shelter. People from both residences have been forced out of their homes. Bombace said they were either staying with friends or at a hotel.

Despite the apparent limited structural damage, the smell of smoke still lingered this afternoon.

Further investigation is needed to determine the specific cause of the kitchen fire, Bombace said.

According to the New Jersey Register of Historic Listings, 781 East Glen Avenue is an historic house in the Ackerman-Van Emburgh-Terhune district, although the exact age of the building is undetermined.