Crime & Safety
Bergen Woman, 83, Killed In House Fire ID'd: Police
Breaking: The fire broke out after a candle was lit because power was out during the thunderstorm Tuesday, police said.
BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Police have identified the Waldwick woman killed in a house fire Tuesday. They also released the probable cause of the fire.
Police Chief Mark Messner said the deceased woman was Valentina Turley, 83.
Results of a preliminary investigation indicate that an unattended candle may have caused the fire, Messner said. The candle may have been been lit due to the power going out during the storm Tuesday night.
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Police received several calls about a fire on Van Court at 6:40 p.m., Chief Mark Messner stated in a news release.
Waldwick police officers and firefighters responded to the blaze and found the house on fire, Messner stated. Additional alarms were sounded and nearby fire departments provided mutual aid, he said.
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The investigation is ongoing and more information will be released as it becomes available, Messner stated.
The Waldwick Chamber of Commerce expressed its sympathies on Twitter regarding the woman's death.
Our hearts go out to the family of last night's fire victim and all those affected by the fire.
— Waldwick Chamber (@WaldwickC) May 16, 2018
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