6 Hospitalized In Fire That Destroyed Hillsdale Home: See Photos

HILLSDALE, NJ — A smoky blaze in Hillsdale early Wednesday morning destroyed a house and sent six residents to the hospital, officials said.

Jeff Angermeyer, chief of detectives for the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, said arson investigators are probing the blaze on Piermont Avenue.

Hillsdale Fire Chief Bill Farrell said that first responders headed to the home at 116 Piermont Ave. shortly before 1 a.m.

First responders "found the residence heavily involved in fire and immediately requested a Working Fire Assignment, bringing mutual aid," said the chief.

The six people who escaped the fire were treated at the hospital for minor injuries, he said.

The chief said that crews "operated in a defensive mode for approximately 25 minutes," spraying the fire to keep it from spreading.

Officials said they did not yet know what caused the blaze.

"Arson investigators from the Prosecutor's Office responded to the scene and initiated an investigation with the Hillsdale Police Department and local fire officials," Angermeyer said. "No other information is available at this time while the investigation is underway, but more details will be released when possible."

The Hillsdale Fire Department had asked residents to avoid the area during rush hour Wednesday morning.