In the early morning hours of June 18, a two-alarm fire in a one-story residence severely damaged the back end of the house at 21 John Hay Ave. (east of Schuyler Avenue near King Street) but no one was hurt during the blaze.
The daughter and son-in-law of the owner, an 87-year-old man, would take turns sleeping over at his home. The owner resides there with his dog but his ability to hear has declined over the years. The couple lives next door at 23 John Hay Ave.
The sleeping arrangement turned out to be a smart move since during the son-in-law’s stay at 21 John Hay on that Thursday, he heard the smoke alarm go off at approximately 2 a.m.
Kearny Chief Inspector Chuck Kerr said that when the son-in-law walked toward the back of the house, it was entirely engulfed with thick black smoke.
“He got the elderly gentleman out of the house and wherever he goes the dog just follows so all occupants of the house left and were unharmed,” Kerr said. “There were no injuries to neighbors or firefighters.”
The son-in-law told his family to evacuate 23 John Hay Ave. since both homes are about two feet apart. He then called 9-1-1.
Kearny Fire Department was at the scene in minutes with Fire Engine 2, Engine 1, and Ladder Tower 2. Once the incident was determined to be a working fire, Engine 2 was brought down to the scene. The fire was extinguished and under control without any mutual aid from other towns.
Kerr said the fire started in the basement ceiling at the rear of the house, moved to the first floor where it spread inside the wall of the last room of the house, which was the laundry room, rapidly moving toward the front of the house through the bathroom.
“Both the bathroom and the laundry room were gutted and there is a lot of smoke damage within the house,” Kerr said.
The incident is still under investigation.
The daughter and son-in-law of the owner, an 87-year-old man, would take turns sleeping over at his home. The owner resides there with his dog but his ability to hear has declined over the years. The couple lives next door at 23 John Hay Ave.
The sleeping arrangement turned out to be a smart move since during the son-in-law’s stay at 21 John Hay on that Thursday, he heard the smoke alarm go off at approximately 2 a.m.
Kearny Chief Inspector Chuck Kerr said that when the son-in-law walked toward the back of the house, it was entirely engulfed with thick black smoke.
“He got the elderly gentleman out of the house and wherever he goes the dog just follows so all occupants of the house left and were unharmed,” Kerr said. “There were no injuries to neighbors or firefighters.”
The son-in-law told his family to evacuate 23 John Hay Ave. since both homes are about two feet apart. He then called 9-1-1.
Kearny Fire Department was at the scene in minutes with Fire Engine 2, Engine 1, and Ladder Tower 2. Once the incident was determined to be a working fire, Engine 2 was brought down to the scene. The fire was extinguished and under control without any mutual aid from other towns.
Kerr said the fire started in the basement ceiling at the rear of the house, moved to the first floor where it spread inside the wall of the last room of the house, which was the laundry room, rapidly moving toward the front of the house through the bathroom.
“Both the bathroom and the laundry room were gutted and there is a lot of smoke damage within the house,” Kerr said.
The incident is still under investigation.
