SECAUCUS – A home in the North End section of Secaucus was ravaged by fire on Christmas Day and had to be torn down due to extensive damage. Firefighters found an ongoing fire in the basement of the two-story wood-frame house on Myrtle Avenue after the homeowner called it in at 2:52 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 25. The fire quickly extended up the interior walls and spread to the first and second floors as well as the roof. All fire units were evacuated from the interior and a defensive attack was initiated from the exterior. At that point a second alarm was transmitted, bringing mutual aid to the scene to protect neighbors’ homes, one of which was only three feet away.
The fire was placed under control at 6:27 p.m. Residents from the surrounding homes were allowed back in the homes by 7 p.m. Personnel remained on the scene until midnight when the decision was made to tear down the house because it was structurally unsound. Three occupants from the same family were displaced and their cat perished in the fire, according to reports. Firefighters were able to retrieve many items from the house before it was demolished, including jewelry, clothing, pictures, documents, and the family’s savings.
One firefighter suffered smoke inhalation and was transported to Meadowlands Hospital, then released. All Secaucus fire units fought the fire. Also at the scene assisting were fire departments from North Arlington, Kearny, and Jersey City, JCFD Gong Club, Secaucus Police Department, OEM, and Building Departments, and Meadowlands Hospital EMS. Initially covering the town were the Lyndhurst, East Rutherford, and Wallington Fire Departments, but they were eventually called to the scene to relieve exhausted fire units.
Contributions on behalf of the family can be sent to the Secaucus Emergency Fund, 101 Centre Ave., Secaucus, NJ 07094. Checks should be made payable to Secaucus Emergency Fund.
As of press time, the possible cause of the fire has not been released.
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