Hawthorne, NJ (April 7, 2026) – Three firefighters were injured, and a pet died, on Monday afternoon, April 6, in a house fire on Westervelt Avenue near North 12th in Hawthorne.
The fire was reported around 4:50 p.m., engulfing the rear of the home along with the garage, a shed, and a large amount of backyard debris. One firefighter sustained burns and was hospitalized, while the other two received treatment on scene. Fire crews from Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, North Haledon, Prospect Park, and Wyckoff assisted under mutual aid agreements, remaining at the scene for nearly four hours. The Ladies Auxiliary also provided support during operations.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and authorities will release additional details as they become available.
Our thoughts are with the injured firefighters and those affected by the blaze.
Understanding House Fires and Firefighter Injuries
House fires can spread quickly, especially when multiple structures or backyard debris are involved. Firefighters face extreme heat, smoke, and structural hazards that can result in burns, smoke inhalation, or other injuries even with protective gear.
Mutual aid agreements allow neighboring departments to respond quickly, ensuring enough personnel and equipment are available for large fires. Fires in residential areas often require extended operations to fully extinguish flames, check for hotspots, and protect surrounding structures. Rapid medical evaluation of injured firefighters is critical to prevent complications from burns or smoke exposure.
