Ridgewood, NJ – Resident Dies in Fire at Independent Living Facility on Ridge Rd

Ridgewood, NJ (June 13, 2022) – One person died during a fire at an independent living facility in Bergen County on Saturday, June 11th. 

The fire broke out at about 7:30 p.m. but fire crews and rescuers were on the scene well into the night. 

According to a local source, Ridgecrest Apartments is an elderly independent living facility that is divided into two sections, section 7 and section 11. Officials said the fire started in section 7. 

Several residents were witnessed being loaded in ambulances. Some sat on the sidewalk, covered in blankets, as they waited for family members to pick them up.  

Ridgewood Police Chief said that crews responded quickly and were able to get the flames under control, although they discovered a deceased resident in the process.  

At this time, it is unclear how many people were displaced or injured. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased victim at this time. Our thoughts are with the injured victims and their families in hopes of a full recovery.

Liability for a New Jersey Residential Fire

Residential fires are the cause of hundreds of fire-related fatalities and injuries each year. When a residence catches fire, its tenants are exposed to serious dangers such as thermal burns, smoke inhalation injuries, and even death. Victims of residential fires can also sustain injuries caused by inhaling toxic fumes given off by burning materials inside the residence, such as common household chemicals and plastics.

Some of the leading causes of residential fires, including house and apartment fires are: 

• Faulty appliances
• Outdated electrical wiring
• Damaged or improperly installed gas lines
• Obstructed chimney flues
• Malfunctioning boilers or furnaces

In addition to determining the cause of the fire, it is also necessary to establish whether the action or inaction of a third party contributed to either the fire itself or to the residents’ ability to escape the burning structure unharmed.

Some of the factors a New Jersey fire injury lawyer will investigate are:

• Whether or not the property owner complied with building and fire codes
• Whether or not proper fire safety equipment was present 
• Whether or not vents and fireplaces were adequately maintained
• Whether or not exits and fire escapes were available and functioning properly
• Whether or not fire doors were used
• Whether or not smoke detectors were tested, installed, and working
• Whether or not firewalls were in place and properly built

In the event that a fire or the inability to react safely to one was the result of the action or inaction of a third party, a victim with a fire-related injury could have a valid claim against the negligent person or entity. 

It is not uncommon for people to fall victim to disastrous accidents arising from the careless actions of building managers, property owners, landlords, contractors, and product manufacturers. When this happens, the appropriate response may be to file a legal claim against the at-fault party. 

Reach out to our fire injury attorneys in New Jersey at (800) 460-6476 to see how we can help you.

Notes: Outside sources were used in the creation of this post including news bulletins and first-hand accounts of the accident and injuries involved. As a result, the details of the accident presented have not been independently verified. If you have identified any false information in the story or would like the post to be removed, please inform us immediately, and we will correct the information or remove the post. 

Disclaimer: As a member of the local community, we at Metro Law strive to improve the overall safety and quality of life for everyone who lives in our beloved state. We are extremely saddened by these accidents but hope that through an awareness of these dangers, those in our community will take precautions to avoid these accidents. This is not a solicitation for business, and this information should not be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. We wish only the best and quickest recovery to all those involved in the accident. The photos depicted in this post are not from the actual accident scene.