HAWTHORNE, NJ - Flames tore through a large 2 ½ story duplex in Hawthorne that was built in 1889, leaving the structure gutted. 

Shortly before 1:15 PM on December 1st, the alarm was transmitted for a reported fire at 486 Goffle Road. First arriving police units reported heavy fire was showing from the rear of the home. As fire units arrived, flames had possession of the second floor and attic. A second alarm was requested.

An interior attack was attempted, but firefighters were soon withdrawn due to the head start the fire had and a spiral staircase leading to the second floor had collapsed. Heavy fire vented out several windows in the front as Hawthorne Truck 2 and North Haledon Ladder 1 set up. Flames broke through the roof as members tried to enter the second floor from 1 ½ story extensions on both sides, but again as conditions deteriorated all were withdrawn again. Flames vented out of an attic window as much of the roof was consumed.

With no exposure issues, the defensive attack continued until about 4:00 when the blaze was placed under control. Heavy smoke continued to cover the area as mutual aid units began to be released. One resident was transported with smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Mutual aid at the scene was provided by Wyckoff, North Haledon, Fair Lawn, and Glen Rock.