Fire Forces Ridgewood Coach And Family To Live In Hotel; Fundraiser Starts

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A Ridgewood home that suffered a fire earlier this month — prompting lessons from the Ridgewood firefighters — was the home of a local coach. Now friends are seeking funds to help the family recover.

"Last week, the Patch reported a house fire on Arcadia Road the morning of May 6," the fundraiser notes. "What the article did not include is that this was the home of beloved Ridgewood football and lacrosse coach and mentor, Ernesto 'Mickey' Santiago, his wife Marivic, and their three sons.'"

One of the children was home studying for his Medical College Admissions Test during the "traumatic event," the fundraiser notes. The family was able to evacuate safely.

But they're now living in a hotel while they wait 12-24 months for their home to be rebuilt.

"They will face countless insurance negotiations, financial stress, and the emotional challenge of rebuilding not just a house, but the place where their family built a lifetime of memories," the organizers state.

As reported in Patch, the homeowner shut the door to the basement, which prevented the fire from causing even more damage. "That single action helped contain heat and smoke," said the firefighters' union.

Firefighters also encouraged people to install smoke detectors and "close [doors] before you doze" for the night.

The fundraiser had amassed more than $33,000 as of Wednesday.

"Mickey has always been there for his family, but through decades of coaching and volunteering," the fundraiser notes, "he has also been there for countless young people and families throughout Ridgewood."

Santiago volunteered with the Boy Scouts and other organizations.

The fundraiser is here.