Timing apparently kept anyone from being hurt after a fire erupted in a single-family home at 12 Fairview Ave. early on Wednesday morning.
“The home’s owner was on vacation in Kentucky,” said Mayor Dennis Elwell, “and the woman resident [a tenant of the basement apartment] had just taken her two kids to school, so she was not in the home when the fire broke out.”
The fire started in a home owned by Lorraine Grewe, mother of firefighter Robert Grewe, at some point before 8 a.m. Neighbors apparently called in the alarm.
Deputy Fire Chief Raymond Ciecuich said units from every firehouse in Secaucus were dispatched to the scene at 7:59 a.m.
“Flames were blowing out from the rear of the house,” Ciecuich said, noting that he and Captain Mike Gonnelli were first on the scene.
The fire caused extensive damage to the kitchen and rear porch. While the matter is being investigated by the Secaucus Police Department, Ciecuich said it has not been ruled suspicious, despite not knowing yet what the exact cause is.
Firefighters on the scene speculated that the fire started some place other than that kitchen, but was fueled when it reached the gas line in the kitchen.
“It appears to have been fuel-fed,” said Town Administrator and Firefighter Anthony Iacono. “Wherever the fire started, once it hit the kitchen, there was an explosion. It was extremely hot with flame all over, and it fully engulfed the rear of the house in fire and smoke.”
Councilman John Bueckner, who lives three houses away from the fire scene, said, “The fire seems to have destroyed the whole interior of the house.”
Ciecuich said he called for mutual aid from Jersey City, and the fire required units to respond to the scene.
“We had Jersey City Engine No. 18, Ladder 8 and Battalion 3 on the scene,” he said, describing the residents of the home as being very lucky.
“The mother had just left to bring her kids to Huber Street School,” he said. “It was a pretty heavy fire load. We could see flames coming out the back.”
The only exit from the basement apartment was through the rear of the house, said one neighbor.
Ciecuich said the department put out the fire within a half hour and closed off the scene for police and insurance investigators.
Lorraine Grewe was away visiting her daughter in Kentucky, and a tenant who lived on the second floor had apparently already gone to work at the time of the fire.
While the single-family house itself may be saved, Iacono said, the interior looks to be a complete loss.
The woman and her children, who apparently resided at the house’s basement, may have lost all her possessions, Elwell said.
“We gave them a $250 voucher and sent them to Kohl’s to purchase clothing,” Elwell said.
“Our office of Emergency Management has made arrangements to have the mother and children put up at the Crowne Plaza,” said Kickey. “We have also contacted Karyn Urtnowski, [director] of Social Services, to see what she can do.”
“I’m making arrangements for the woman and her children to get their meals at the hotel and have the bill sent to Social Services,” Urtnowski said. “I’m also reaching out to the Hudson County chapter of Red Cross to see if they can do anything.”
Urtnowski said the woman and her children did not have a lot of possessions, but lost everything they had.
“I have a list of phone calls to make on Thursday to see if I can find her a place to live,” Urtnowski said. “I’m hoping a real estate agent might be willing to waive the fee for finding an apartment.”
The woman also worked in Hackensack, so Urtnowski has contacted Social Services there to determine if any resources can be made available.
“I’m also going to contact all the local civic organization such as K&S, Kiwanis and UNICO to see if they can help in any way,” Urtnowski said. “We have a few things in the food pantry, some dishes and pots, but not enough to set the woman up. I would welcome any donations from the community.”
If anyone in the public wishes to donate household items, they can call Urtnowski at (201) 330-2014.
Man killed in freak accident
Richard Steinel of Luhman Terrace was killed instantly after a small sport utility vehicle pinned him against a telephone pole around 8 a.m. on May 28.
Steinel, who was in his mid to late 60s, was apparently mowing the lawn between his sidewalk and curb when a neighbor across the street backed out of a driveway and may have lost control of the vehicle, according to a police officer on the scene.
Witnesses on the scene said Steinel had his back to the vehicle and apparently could not hear the vehicle approaching on account of the noise from the mower. The SUV rolled over the mower and pinned Steinel to a telephone pole, killing him on impact, according to city officials. The mower was pinned under the vehicle.
“A medic who was passing stopped and tried to help him,” said Councilman Bob Kickey. “Eventually, people just put a sheet over the man.”
Tom Troyer, a Board of Education trustee who lived down the street, recalled Steinel as being “very physically fit,” and “a very nice man.”
Police Sergeant Mike Reinke said the police department could not yet comment because the matter was still under investigation, but expected to issue a statement later in week. – Al Sullivan