Teaneck, N.J. house fire that injured 3 investigated as arson
TEANECK, N.J. - A fire in Bergen County Monday that injured three people is being investigated as arson.
It started early Monday morning in Teaneck.
Police used a canine to help investigate the fire at the multifamily home on Palisade Avenue.
The fire started just after midnight. One neighbor across the street said she was still awake when she heard a big commotion.
"And it just got very, very busy. The fire people were running back and forth. I thought, 'Gee, I never saw them running like that from one end of the street to another,'" the neighbor said.
Officials said the fire started on the first floor.
While trying to suppress the flames, firefighters rescued three people who were trapped in the basement. Teaneck officials said some of those victims suffered critical injuries. All three were taken to Hackensack University Medical Center.
"The ambulance people were here. And they were taking people out. And I saw a woman, I think it was a woman, had her hand [on her head]. I know she was alive," the neighbor said.
The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office took the lead in the investigation. Teaneck police officials said arson is being investigated as a possible cause.
After the fire was under control, Teaneck officials posted a letter to the front door indicating no working fire detectors were found in the home.