On October 16th, Upper Saddle River firefighters requested mutual aid from across Bergen and Rockland Counties to overcome a fully involved almost $3 million mansion and serious water supply issues.

First arriving police and fire officers faced a well involved structure at about 4:30 P.M., and immediately called for a second-alarm, followed shortly after by a third-alarm. Lines were quickly stretched, but it soon became apparent that the water supply in the very rural area without hydrants was inadequate. A fourth-alarm was sounded for long stretches to a river several hundred yards away, possibly drafting from residential pools and tankers to shuttle water to the scene.

Three elevated master streams were put into operation, as well as additional lines. Within one hour not much was left of the building except parts of the exterior walls. The fire was placed under control in about two-and-a-half hours, but a fifth-alarm was transmitted for additional resources. No injuries were reported, and the cause is under investigation.

Mutual aid from as far away as Fort Lee responded. Mahwah, Wyckoff, Allendale, Ramsey, Saddle River, Ridgewood, Park Ridge, Fair Lawn, Oakland, and Waldwick were some of the N.J. responders. Tallman, Spring Valley, Stony Point, and others from N.Y. operated at the scene.