SOFD Assists With Hilton Avenue Fire

The (SOFD) responded to a blaze in Maplewood on Sunday evening.  The SOFD was assisting with a blaze that burnt through the roof of a three-story wood-frame house on Hilton Avenue. The fire was extinguished within an hour, and there were no injuries.

Residents were fleeing the rear of the home when the Maplewood Fire Department arrived after 7:30 p.m. Firefighters extended a line to the third floor and extinguished the fire as additional arriving Maplewood crews searched the rest of the building.

Maplewood Fire Department Platoon 2 responded to the fire under the command of Deputy Chief Walter Nugent and Captain Kevin Hayes.  Millburn fire departments responded for assistance.  The was on the scene as well with two ambulances.  No residents had to be transported with any major injuries.

"Everyone had safely made it out of the home," reported Maplewood FD Captain Joseph Callaghan. In addition, there were no firefighter injuries. Firefighter Joseph Alvarez of the Maplewood FD Fire Investigation Team responded to the scene and conducted the investigation. At this time, the cause of the fire is still undetermined. 

Callaghan said that the fire served as a reminder to everyone to practice their EDITH (exit drills in the home) and "make sure the batteries are fresh in their smoke detectors."

"If you are not sure what your best options are if there is a fire, contact the at 973-762-6500," said Callaghan, "and we will come out and help you devise an exit plan."