August 17, 2021 Three-Alarm Fire Investigation in Madison

Madison, NJ – August 19, 2021 – On Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at approximately 5:10pm, Madison Police Acting Captain Joseph Longo notified Madison Police Dispatch via radio of smoke coming from a single-family residence on Kings Road. At that time, Madison Fire Department was dispatched to the scene, with Engine 1 & Tower 1 arriving moments later.

In consultation with family members on scene, Acting Captain Longo learned of a resident trapped inside the burning residence. He experienced heavy smoke at the doorway from the residence and realized that a rescue without proper fire gear and breathing apparatus was not possible. Firefighters Barrios and Norek immediately geared up with protective gear and breathing apparatus to enter the burning residence and initiated a primary search. Firefighter DeRosa arrived a short time later and assisted with the primary search. 

During the extensive search, Firefighter Norek broke out a dining room window and called for help as he located the victim. Madison Police Corporal Aquino raced to the exterior window in order assist in the removal of the victim from the window, however was unsuccessful after she encountered heavy smoke from the window, making it difficult to breathe.  Firefighter Barrios, Norek and DeRosa lifted the victim to the window as Morris County Office of Emergency Management Emergency Medical Services EMT Douglas assisted by Sergeant McCarthy and Morris County Office of Emergency Management Emergency Medical Services EMT Kleiman removed the victim from the exterior of the residence. At this same time, Firefighter Norek was low on air and had to be immediately removed from the residence by this same window.

Corporal Aquino, Morris County OEM/EMS EMT Douglas and EMT Kleiman initiated lifesaving aid on the front lawn assisted by Sergeant Walsh of the Chatham Police Department and ultimately Atlantic Paramedics Medic 11. The victim was transported by Morris County OEM/EMS and Atlantic Paramedics to the Morristown Medical Trauma Center. 

Sergeant McCarthy and Corporal Aquino were transported to the Morristown Medical Center for smoke inhalation. Both were treated and ultimately released. Two additional Madison Firefighters were treated at the scene by the Chatham Emergency Squad, and did not require hospital transport. 

Mutual aid for the three-alarm fire consisted of assistance from Florham Park Fire Department, Chatham Fire Department, Morris Township Fire Department, Cedar Knolls Fire Department, Morris County Air truck operated by the Morris Plains Fire Department, Morristown Fire Department, Whippany Fire Department, East Hanover Fire Department, Green Village Fire Department, Summit Fire Department, Chatham Township Fire Department, Parsippany District 6 Fire Department, Morris County OEM Fire Coordinators, Madison Ambulance Corps, Chatham Emergency Squad and Morris County OEM Ambulance. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Morris County Prosecutors Office Arson Unit, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and the Madison Police Bureau of Investigation. 

Inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to Chief Louie DeRosa at DeRosaL@rosenet.org, by phone at 973-593-3021 or Public Information Officer Michael Pellessier at Communication@rosenet.org, by phone at 973-408-8789.