SOUTH HACKENSACK, NJ - Despite heroic efforts by firefighters, an elderly homeowner and her daughter's boyfriend died in an overnight house fire in South Hackensack during the early morning hours of June 10th.

At 3:06 A.M., a 911 call was made to police reporting flames coming from a house. Fire personnel were dispatched to 11 Agar Place on a reported working fire after receiving several calls reporting the same. First due units were met with heavy fire already venting from the rear of the one-and-a-half story private dwelling at 15 Agar Place. An off-duty South Hackensack police sergeant who lives next door to the home tried to extinguish the flames with a garden hose as heavy fire was venting from the home, but the fire spread too quickly.

"We were met with heavy fire and heavy smoke, and weren't able to get into the home quickly until we had a hand line in place," said South Hackensack Fire Chief Carmine Macari.

Firefighters had to beat back heavy fire and extreme heat before finding the 80-year-old homeowner, who they removed from the first floor and turned over to EMS. The male victim was located shortly after that and also turned over to EMS. Both victims were in cardiac arrest and transported to Hackensack University Medical Center where they were pronounced dead. The homeowner's daughter was hospitalized with smoke inhalation.

The fast-moving fire completely destroyed the home and caused a collapse of the interior floor and part of the roof before it was declared under control shortly before 4:36 A.M.

The Bergen County Prosecutor's Arson Squad is investigating the cause, assisted by South Hackensack fire officials. Mutual aid from Carlstadt, Hackensack, Hasbrouck Heights, Little Ferry, Moonachie, Wallington and Wood-Ridge assisted. EMS units from Carlstadt and Little Ferry also assisted. This was the second fatal fire in Bergen County in one week.