Little League Coach Dies In Bergen County House Fire

CARLSTADT, NJ — A 67-year-old man died in a fire in Carlstadt late on Friday afternoon, prosecutors said.

Joseph A. Poling of Carlstadt was pronounced dead at the scene of the blaze, said the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office on Monday.

Carlstadt's Recreation Department identified him as a Little League coach who spent "countless hours" volunteering.

The Carlstadt police and fire departments headed to the blaze at a multi-home on Third Street around 4 p.m. Friday, prosecutors said. Poling was found dead on the second floor, prosecutors said.

County and local fire investigators determined that the fire was not suspicious, prosecutors said.

Carlstadt's Fire Department said one firefighter sustained a minor injury in the blaze, which took 38 minutes to put out.

Family Lived In House

On Monday night, Carlstadt's Recreation Department asked people to donate to the coach's family, who lived in the building.

"Joe was a longtime minor-league and Little League coach in the Carlstadt Little League, where he dedicated countless hours to supporting and mentoring young athletes," they wrote.

"Brianna and her fiancé Randy experienced a devastating house fire that destroyed their home in a matter of minutes," says the fundraiser, which had raised $5,800 of a $9,000 goal by Tuesday morning.

"The fire took nearly everything they owned and tragically claimed the life of Randy’s father, Joseph. Their home has since been condemned, and Brianna and Randy are currently staying with a neighbor while trying to figure out what comes next. They are now facing the overwhelming reality of rebuilding from nothing."

The fundraiser is for funeral expenses and to help them find a home, clothing, and household necessities, it said.

The fundraiser can be found here.