Elmwood Park Fire Chief Michael Pressler said an electrical appliance may be to blame. Watch video
ELMWOOD PARK - Investigators say a kitchen appliance may be to blame for a fire that tore through a multi-family home Tuesday night, leaving one person dead.
"Preliminary evidence is pointing towards the origin being possibly in the kitchen," said Elmwood Park Police Chief Michael Foligno.
Elmwood Park Fire Chief Michael Pressler the cause of the fire is still undetermined, but that an electrical appliance may be to blame.
The fire started about 11:30 p.m. inside the Miller Avenue house.
Raw video of fatal fire being fought in Elmwood Park. 1 person died in overnight blaze (https://t.co/jIZ787D8F6): pic.twitter.com/dQ468PzAvc
-- Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) September 7, 2016
A first-floor tenant told police she awoke to the sound of smoke alarms and observed heavy smoke in the common hallway of the building. She told police she ran from the building to safety at a neighbor's house.
"First responding officers discovered the house fully engulfed in flames and thick heavy smoke emanating from the building," Foligno said. "Officers attempted to force entry into the residence but were held back by the intense heat and thick heavy smoke."
Firefighters soon arrived from Elmwood Park, Saddle Brook, Garfield, Fair Lawn and Clifton. After about 30 minutes, the fire was under control.
As they fought the flames, firefighters came across a body on the bedroom floor, next to the bed.
The victim was taken to the Bergen County Medical Examiner's office for autopsy and identification.
The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Arson Investigation Unit is assisting with the investigation.
No one else was hurt in the fire, the police chief said.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.