Ridgwood firefighters battled a 4th alarm fire that caused extensive damage to two downtown buildings late Palm Sunday night.
Firefighters arrived to 19 North Broad St shortly after 9pm to find fire and heavy smoke from the rear of a bagel story. A working fire and Department recall were requested and arriving companies set up for an interior attack. A report of entrapment on the third floor was confirmed and the occupant was rescued safely. A second alarm, quickly followed by a third alarm was quickly transmitted as the fire extended from the first floor to the second and third floors and to the exposure building. As conditions began to deteriorate, a floor collapse was reported and all firefighters were ordered to evacuate the building. At the height of the fire three tower ladders, 1 ladder pipe and multiple handlines were used to control the blaze as fire broke though the roof. A fourth alarm to the scene and 5th alarm to cover the village was later requested. It took firefighters over an hour to bring the fire under control. Mutual aid from Glen Rock, Ho-Ho-Kus, Paramus, Waldwick, Wyckoff, Hawthorne, Fair Lawn, Hackensack, Midland Park, Allendale, Ramsey, and others assisted on scene. No injuries were reported and the fire is under investigation.