A three-alarm fire ripped through a Fair Lawn home Saturday afternoon, killing three pets, authorities said.
Fairlawn Fire Department spokesman Douglas Sadowski said firefighters responding to a call for help at 2:24 p.m. arrived to find the front of a Fifth Avenue home engulfed in flames. .
He said in an email that the fire “quickly spread internally” and firefighters directed “large” water jet nozzles at the fire from outside.
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“Upon arrival, we encountered heavy fire. Crews did an excellent job using deck guns to extinguish the fire before entering the building,” said Fair Lawn Fire Department Deputy Chief Ralph Rinaldo. “We mounted a very aggressive attack, but unfortunately due to the rapid rate of fire progression we were unable to save the resident's three cats.”
The three-alarm fire took an hour to extinguish and caused extensive damage.
There were no injuries to residents or firefighters. Fair Lawn Police, Rescue Squad, Office of Emergency Management and Volunteer Ambulance were all on the scene, as well as first responders from Saddle Brook and Elmwood Park.
The Fair Lawn Fire Protection Department is investigating the cause of the fire.
The house suffered extensive damage and the Red Cross helped the family move. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up for Nick and Ashley Cornwell, the couple who lived in the home. By Sunday evening, more than $20,000 had been raised toward the $25,000 goal.
