UPDATE: Caldwell House Blaze Injures Firefighter

A house fire in Caldwell injured one firefighter and shut down roads in the area on Wednesday morning.

The Caldwell Fire Department stated that firefighters were dispatched to the three-story wood frame home on Hatfield Avenue home around 11:30 a.m.

On arrival, Caldwell firefighters witnessed a heavy fire on the first and second floors, Fire Department Chief Gary Garamella stated.

Caldwell firefighters - along with assistance from West Caldwell Fire Department, Verona Fire Department, and Cedar Grove Fire Departments – then mounted an aggressive interior attack in an attempt to knock down the flames, Garamella said.

However, the fire spread to the third floor and a second alarm was dispatched.

Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control around 1:30 p.m., with fire personnel continuing to extinguish hot spots for a period afterwards.

The only occupant of the house at the time was evacuated by bystanders prior to FD arrival, Garamella said.

One firefighter suffered minor injuries and was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital.

He has since been released, Garamella stated.

The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time and is under investigation.

Also assisting with mutual aid house coverage during the fire were the North Caldwell Fire Department, Essex Fells Fire Department, Roseland Fire Department, Fairfield Fire Department, and West Orange Fire Department.

Photos courtesy of S.M. Kent

Send Caldwell photos and news tips to eric.kiefer@patch.com