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Ridgefield Former Inn Destroyed in Overnight Fatal Fire
March 06, 2024 | NEW JERSEY
DAMIEN DANIS, Senior Correspondent
Photo by Damien Danis
Photo by Damien Danis
Photo by Damien Danis
Photo by Damien Danis
Photo by Damien Danis
Photo by Damien Danis
Photo by Damien Danis
Photo by Damien Danis
This article is a direct street report from our correspondent and has not been edited by the 1st Responder newsroom.
RIDGEFIELD, NJ - A spectacular overnight fire broke out shortly before 2:30 A.M. on March 6th in Ridgefield that destroyed a 125-year-old structure at 850 Broad Avenue (Route 9). As units were dispatched, they were already being notified that the former Tottle Inn was completely involved.
Battalion Chief Scott Russo arrived, confirmed the building was fully involved and instituted an exterior attack. He transmitted a second-alarm, bringing mutual aid companies to the scene. The building, a large two-and-a-half-story former inn, sat at the corner of Broad and Maple Avenues surrounded by trees, and was set back off the street.
As lines went into operation, within a short time, the entire structure collapsed. Master streams from ladder pipes from Ridgefield and Leonia, along the Ridgefield Engine 3's deck gun contained the fire. Exposures were evacuated, and the buildings suffered minor heat damage.
Mutual aid operating at the scene included Cliffside Park, Fairview, Leonia, Palisade Park, Englewood Cliffs, and Ridgefield Park. Cover companies came from Teaneck, Englewood and Carlstadt. Rehab services were provided by County Wide.
The fire was declared under control around 4:00 A.M. No injuries were immediately reported. A body was found in the rubble later on that day as officials searched the remains of the building during the investigation. The Bergen County Prosecutor' office arson squad was on the scene. News 12 NJ reported by those in the neighborhood that squatters were known to use the old house for shelter. The house, once known as the Toddle Inn, sat abandoned for several years. According to the Ridgefield mayor, the property was scheduled to be redeveloped in the near future.
DAMIEN DANISSenior Correspondent
No information from the author.