Oradell family forced to evacuate home when fire breaks out in basement

A fire in Oradell forced a family to evacuate their home Thursday afternoon.

The fire started at a one-story home along Oradell Avenue. Family members inside were the first to call for help after they found smoke and fire coming up from the basement.

Fire Chief Terry Moran says an exact cause is now under investigation.

“The homeowners got out of the building. Everyone is safe,” he says. “We were able to extinguish it. We have a lot of resources here. We needed resources to get to it.”

Firefighters from Oradell, Westwood, Emerson and River Edge were in the front of the house and on the rear side where most of the damage was visible.

Moran says his firefighters were able to save the homeowner’s two cats as well.

Because of the smoke and water damage, repairs will need to be made before this family can move back into the house.