Photos and story by Ron Jeffers
Ridgefield (NJ) fire companies were dispatched to an early morning fire, March 6, 2024, at an abandoned building that was once the home of a former historic inn on Broad Avenue.
Responding units received a radio report that police were on the scene and the structure was fully involved. Responding fire companies observed a red glow in the sky. True to the police report, the set-back structure, surrounded by trees, was completely involved in fire. Battalion Chief Scott Russo ordered a defensive attack and a collapse zone to be established.
Mutual aid was summonsed to the scene from local departments, which included Cliffside Park, Leonia, Palisade Park, Englewood Cliffs, and Ridgefield Park.
Within a short time, the former Toddle Inn structure collapsed. Master streams included ladder pipe operations from Ridgefield and Leonia.
Adjacent occupied dwellings were evacuated, and the buildings suffered minor damage. The occupants were later allowed to return to their homes.
A body was found in the rubble as officials searched the remains of the building. An arson investigation team was on the scene.
According to News 12 New Jersey, the building was scheduled to be torn down in two weeks. Ridgefield Mayor Hugo Jimenez said there are plans, that have already been approved by the zoning board, for housing on the site.
