Press Release

          On Wednesday, February 13^th.,  police, fire & rescue squad personnel responded to a house fire at 128 Anderson Parkway.  The initial report of the fire was received from a neighboring resident at 5:14 a.m.   The caller reported that the fire victim, an 86 year-old Township woman, had come to her door reporting a smoke condition in her home.  Upon police arrival, officers observed a heavy smoke condition emanating from the home but were unable to make entry.  The arriving fire department subsequently entered the home and following a search, discovered and extinguished a fire in the basement at 5:41 a.m.  The fire victim, who initially complained of shortness of breath, was transported to Mountainside Hospital by the rescue squad for medical evaluation.  The victim stated that she had been asleep in the home when a loud bang from the kitchen woke her up.  At that time she observed the smoke condition and was able to exit through a rear door, going to the neighbor’s house for assistance.  Detective Bureau personnel, along with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office also responded and are currently investigating the cause of the fire.  At the present time the exact cause of the fire is undetermined, but is not considered to be suspicious.  The victim’s residence sustained considerable, fire, smoke and water damage and is presently uninhabitable.  There were no other persons in the home and no injuries were reported.  The Bloomfield, Caldwell, Little Falls, Montclair, North Caldwell and Verona Fire Departments assisted in the fire incident.          

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          The Cedar Grove Police Department requests that the public report all suspicious activity observed, as it occurs.  The police department telephone number is 973-239-4100 and in case of emergency 9-1-1.  All reports are investigated and all assistance is appreciated.