South Essex firefighters entered a two-story Maplewood house to rescue a resident from a basement fire

By Jeff Goldman
nj.com

MAPLEWOOD, N.J. — Firefighters entered a burning house in Maplewood to rescue a resident early Monday, the fire chief said.

Two civilians and a firefighter were hospitalized as a result of a fire that broke out in the basement of a two-story house on Gifford Court at about 1:30 a.m., South Essex Chief Joseph Alvarez said.

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The resident was in a hospital bed and yelling for help when firefighters made it into the house. The victim was conscious and breathing when turned over to emergency workers, Alvarez and Mayor Sheena Collum said.

Another resident later was brought to an area hospital to he checked. The injured firefighter who carried the resident out — identified by Collum as Captain Keith Scheper — is “doing well” and is being released.

Two dogs were also rescued, the mayor said.

Firefighters worked for two hours to bring the fire under control.

“The fireground is an extremely chaotic and fast-moving operation when arriving first on scene,” Alvarez said. “Squad 32 was faced with advanced fire, in extremely harsh conditions, and bystanders advising them of a person trapped. Without question, their decision to immediately commit their company to making the rescue, and the swift action they took are the reasons a resident of our town is alive today.”

Red Cross New Jersey is helping eight people from three families with emergency assistance for temporary lodging, food, clothing, and other immediate needs.

The Maplewood Fire Marshal and the South Essex Fire Department are investigating the cause.

Firefighters from Irvington, Union, Hillside, Millburn, Orange, East Orange and Montclair assisted at the scene.

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