Officials: 1 person dead in building collapse, fire at former Toddle Inn in Ridgefield
The fire started around 2 a.m. inside the home that firefighters say looked to be boarded up when they arrived.
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The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating a deadly fire in Ridgefield.
One person was found dead inside a home that appeared to have been boarded up and vacant at the intersection of Broad Avenue and Maple Avenue.
There has been a cleanup of the property involving heavy machinery. As each layer of debris is pulled away, it’s easier for investigators to peer inside and search for human remains.
This fire started around 2 a.m. inside the home that firefighters say looked to be boarded up when they arrived at the intersection.
“We were understanding that it was a house unoccupied and shuttered at the time so that there shouldn’t be any squatters or anything like that in there,” said Scott Russo, with the Ridgefield Fire Department.
But that changed by late morning when the remains of one person were found inside.
News 12 has been told by those in the neighborhood that squatters were known to use the old house for shelter. The house, once known as the Toddle Inn, sat abandoned for several years.
According to the Ridgefield mayor, the property was scheduled to be redeveloped in the near future.
What caused this fire is not yet known. Authorities will also need to determine the cause of death of the victim.
The victim’s identity was not immediately available.
