Pets Rescued at Stevens Fire

Ridgewood fire officials rescued three pets during an afternoon fire yesterday.

Crews rushed to 392 Stevens Ave. on report of a smoky home. Arriving around 3:30 p.m., Ridgewood fire fighters extinguished a first-floor blaze from a property devoid of people.

However, two dogs and a cat were on site and experienced smoke inhalation. Fire Chief James Van Goor said the animals were treated with specially made oxygen masks and taken to the Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus.

Van Goor attributed the fire to a gas stove burner left on low heat. He said the flame ignited some paper and started the fire.

Although the structure received no damage, Van Goor said the kitchen and dining room were destroyed and significant smoke damage struck most of the first floor. 

The call came as Ridgewood schools were letting out, but Van Goor said fire crews traveled from the East Glen Avenue station to Stevens in four minutes.

Other fire news: The Ridgewood Fire Department responded to 41 calls from May 22 to May 29.

Description/Number of Calls:

• Car fire: 1
• Mulch fire: 1            
• EMT call: 21
• Combustible liquid spill: 1            
• Power line down: 1          
• Telephone or cable TV wire down: 2           
• Lock-out: 2 
• Remove victim from stalled elevator: 1
• Smoke or odor investigation/removal: 1
• Alarm malfunction: 10

Information courtesy of the Ridgewood Fire Department.