A 56-year-old man is in critical condition after a fire broke out in the basement of his Bayonne home.
According to reports, the fire spread quickly, and emergency crews quickly put it out.
Now, authorities are investigating the cause and seeking public help.
What exactly happened, and what do we know so far? Let’s find out.
- A 56-year-old man is in critical but stable condition after a basement fire in Bayonne.
- The fire was extinguished within 22 minutes, but the Hudson County Arson Task Force is still investigating its cause and origin.
- Authorities seek any information about the fire and keep all tips confidential.
Man Critically Injured in Bayonne Basement Fire
On the evening of Monday, September 16, 2024, a basement fire in Bayonne left a 56-year-old man in critical condition, prompting an ongoing investigation.
Notably, the fire occurred at a two-family home at 167 West Ninth Street.
At approximately 5:20 p.m., multiple reports were received by the Bayonne Fire Department, alerting them to an emergency at the residence.
As they responded, firefighters found smoke and flames coming from the basement.
Bayonne Deputy Fire Chief Bill Bartos confirmed that first responders were dispatched at 5:24 p.m. following reports of an explosion and smoke.
Upon arriving, they discovered a fire in the basement and located a severely injured man outside the building.
As the situation unfolded, firefighters quickly worked to control the blaze, using a one-hand line to extinguish it. The fire was declared under control at 5:46 p.m., just 22 minutes after the initial response.
The injured man, whose name has not been released, was transported to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey, for specialized burn treatment.
According to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, he remains in critical but stable condition.
Authorities Investigating the Cause of the Fire
The Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force and the Bayonne Fire Department are investigating the cause and origin of the fire.
Following the investigation, initial reports from the Bayonne Office of Emergency Management indicated that the fire was discovered in the basement of the residential building.
However, while Deputy Fire Chief Bartos mentioned the possibility of an explosion, Prosecutor Suarez’s statement did not reference any explosion.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. As a result, the fire remains classified as suspicious until further evidence is uncovered.
Given the circumstances, the involvement of the Arson Task Force points to the serious nature of the case. In this effort, they are working alongside fire investigators to determine the exact events that led to the blaze.
Additionally, investigators are looking into whether the explosion mentioned in initial reports caused the fire.
Urgent Request for Information from the Public
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information related to the fire to come forward.
Individuals with relevant details are encouraged to contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office at (201) 915-1345.
In addition, tips can be submitted anonymously through the Prosecutor’s Office website using the provided link.
According to Prosecutor Suarez, all information shared will be kept confidential to protect the identities of those offering leads.
Given the critical condition of the victim and the potentially serious circumstances surrounding the fire, the urgency for any useful information cannot be overstated.
In light of this, investigators are piecing together the events leading up to the fire and considering all possibilities, including accidental causes or criminal intent.
