NJ House Reduced To Ashes, Homeowner Hospitalized In 3-Alarm Blaze

NORWOOD, NJ — A $1.6 million Bergen County home was reduced to ashes on Tuesday night — and the homeowner hospitalized — as a result of a three-alarm fire.

Firefighters from several New Jersey and New York companies headed to the blaze on 17th Street in Norwood just before 4 p.m. Tuesday, officials said.

Police found the 75-year-old homeowner outside, who told them he was the only person home — and that he wasn't sure how the blaze started — said Norwood Police Chief Christian Federici.

He was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center for burns to his hands, Federici said.

Police were able to contact the man's wife by phone to confirm that she was safe elsewhere.

Two firefighters were treated by EMS members on the scene, but both declined to be treated at the hospital, Federici said.

The blaze was called in around 3:55 p.m. by a contractor working on a nearby home, he said.

"Firefighters remained on scene until 10:21 p.m., at which time they felt that they eliminated the possibility of re-ignition," Federici noted.

"The first arriving companies encountered heavy fire from the garage already extending to the upper floor," posted Haworth's volunteer fire department on social media. "Both battalions were on scene for multiple hours and companies [were] still continuing to hit hot spots into the night."

Patch will update this story if more details are released.