TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J. - A working structure fire on Ellen Court prompted the Township of Washington Fire Department to arrive Tuesday morning, October 14th, to support the Hillsdale Fire Department and multiple mutual-aid organizations in the Pascack Valley.

As a roof fire spread into a single-family home's attic, crews had to work in difficult circumstances. William Farrell, the fire chief for Hillsdale, stated that the fire was reported at 3:46 a.m. Heavy fire from the rear deck area into the attic space was confirmed by arriving crews.

After all firefighters were safely inside, a mayday was swiftly lifted after a brief loss of water pressure caused a flashover inside the building. Mutual-aid units from neighboring towns, including the Township of Washington, were called in when the incident was escalated to a second alarm.

Ten firefighters suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to local hospitals. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Squad and the Hillsdale Fire Marshal.