Storm-downed power lines spark River Edge house fire, destroy home
Officials say a large tree fell onto power lines and a utility pole, bringing live wires down. Firefighters faced additional challenges battling the blaze because of the energized power lines and low water pressure in the area.
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A fast-moving fire destroyed a home in River Edge Saturday night after severe storms brought down trees and power lines, officials said. The downed lines also sparked fires in the basements of two neighboring homes.
The River Edge Volunteer Fire Department was initially dispatched to Midland Avenue for a report of an arcing wire. While responding, firefighters found a house fully engulfed in flames.
Officials say a large tree fell onto power lines and a utility pole, bringing live wires down. Firefighters faced additional challenges battling the blaze because of the energized power lines and low water pressure in the area.
Neighbors described hearing loud explosions as power lines arced.
“It started small, but then all of a sudden it exploded,” Madeline Maresca said.
Another resident, Mike Donahue, said the flashes from the power lines were unlike anything he had seen.
“The explosions of the power lines are really pretty dramatic,” Donahue said.
The home was destroyed. Burned vehicles, downed power lines and two large trees remained at the scene Sunday, forcing road closures.
Officials said falling power lines were pulled away from two neighboring homes, igniting fires in both basements. Firefighters were able to extinguish those fires before they spread further.
The fire was brought under control around 2 a.m. Sunday. Two firefighters were taken to the hospital with minor injuries and later released.
