Firefighter Hospitalized After Battling 3-Alarm Blaze In North Jersey

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — One firefighter was injured this week while battling a blaze at a Passaic County home, officials said.

On Monday, around noon, fire crews were called to a home on Oak Ridge Road in West Milford on reports of a three-alarm fire, officials said.

Several fire departments responded to the engulfed home. Officials said the house was empty upon arrival, and neighbors had already rescued dogs that were trapped in the home.

The blaze took roughly three hours to extinguish, and the home was left completely destroyed. Neighboring homes sustained heat damage, officials added.

During the response, one firefighter suffered minor injuries and was sent to a nearby hospital for treatment, according to fire officials.

"Although we never like to see this, we're grateful that no lives were lost," a West Milford Fire Department statement read. "The house can be rebuilt, and new memories can be made."

The West Milford Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the blaze.

A GoFundMe has been launched to support the Vecchio family after they lost their home. The fundraiser, which has garnered more than $10,000 so far, will go towards temporary housing, clothing, household essentials, pet supplies, and "other unexpected expenses as they begin rebuilding their lives."