Dog Dies, Fire Chief's Home Destroyed In Blaze In New Providence

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ — Just days after the New Year, a fire killed a family dog and ripped through and destroyed an active New Providence firefighter and former fire chief's home. A GoFundMe fundraising website has been set up to help Ralph Parlapiano and his family get back on their feet.

On Jan. 2nd at 3:28 p.m., the New Providence Fire Department was alerted to a reported residential structure fire in a single-family dwelling within the borough.

Firefighters arrived on the scene in about four minutes and confirmed a working fire with no one inside the home, said New Providence Volunteer Fire Department.

Initial firefighters found heavy fire in both the basement and first floor of the home. Based on the fire progression a second alarm was transmitted bringing in additional fire companies.

Fire department units worked to extinguish the fire for more than an hour and the fire was placed under control at 4:38 p.m.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. There were no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters, but the Parlapiano family's dog Breeze died in the fire, according to the fire department.

"This was an extremely challenging incident for the department as it was the home of one of our own active members and past Chief of Department," said the fire department.

Parlapiano is a lifetime New Providence resident who spent 46 years on the New Providence Fire Department, 10 of those years as the fire chief,

"We are all shocked and heartbroken that this happened so fast and unexpectedly.This fire took away a house where we spent every Christmas Eve, with memories I forever hold in my heart," said Parlapiano's niece Lisa Correia, who set up the fundraiser.

"He has given almost his whole life supporting his community, and now in his time of need, I'd like to give back to him," said Correia.

For more information on how to assist, visit gofund.me/6da58202.

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