One Firefighter Hospitalized, House Deemed Unsafe After Bergen County Fire

RIVER EDGE, NJ — A firefighter was hospitalized after a two-alarm blaze destroyed a home in River Edge on Sunday, officials said.

A hazardous materials team had to be called because of lithium ion batteries that were in the home, firefighter said.

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Around 9:40 a.m., the River Edge Volunteer Fire Department responded to the 200 block of Taft Road, officials said.

Firefighters came upon a one-story ranch home with heavy fire at the rear of the structure. The blaze escalated to two alarms.

Fire departments from Paramus, New Milford, Oradell, and Hackensack came to help.

A Hazmat Team was called to assist with safe removal of lithium-ion batteries.

Firefighter Outcome

A firefighter was taken to a local hospital for heat exhaustion, Fire Chief William Sanders told Patch. He was treated and has since been released.

The house is currently unsafe to occupy, Sanders said Monday night.

"The cause of the fire in under investigation and there was fire and smoke damage throughout the house," he said. "The building was deemed unsafe."

More information is here.