An injured fireman and a resident were rescued from a fire that ripped up the front of a three-story Union Street home Wednesday afternoon.
BOONTON — An injured firefighter and a resident were rescued from a fire that ripped up the front of a three-story Union Street home Wednesday afternoon.
The firefighter, who was stuck on the roof, was rescued by the Rapid Intervention Crew from the Lake Hiawatha Fire Department.
"They did a great job," Boonton Fire Department Chief Ed Robillard said. "They cut a hole in the roof, pulled him through, pulled him down three stories and out. He's being evaluated at the hospital for severe fatigue, but as of now, it appears he will be alright."
The female resident was evacuated out of the back of the home after attempting to get out through the front.
"She appears to be OK," said Robillard, who was unsure whether she was removed by police or firefighters..
Rocio Salinas, who lives a few doors down from the fire scene on Union Street, said she was outside walking with her children when they started to smell smoke.
"Then I saw a lot of smoke coming out of the windows," she said. "Then the fire. Oh my God, the fire. First floor, second floor, then the third floor. I called 911 and in less than 30 seconds, they were here."
Robillard said his department was called to the fire at 3:56 p.m. and called a second alarm when police confirmed it was an active fire.
The second alarm brought in additional support from Parsippany District 5, Mount Tabor, Boonton Township, Mountain Lakes, Montville and Morris Plains.
Salinas did not know the occupants of the home. Several neighbors worried about a dog that lived in the home, but another neighbor said the dog was in a kennel.
Most of the damage was confined to the exterior of the home, which was deemed uninhabitable.
Robillard said the cause of the fire was undetermined and was being investigated by the Boonton Police Department.