Fire Breaks Out in Deer Path Home During Weekend Blizzard

In the early morning hours of Feb. 9 a fire broke out at 1458 Deer Path in Mountainside causing heavy smoke conditions, both homeowners made it out safely but a Mountainside firefighter suffered a minor injury, officials said.

According to Mountainside Police Captain Richard Osieja, at 1:56 a.m. a 69-year-old resident informed the dispatcher that there was heavy smoke in his home and his 71-year-old disabled wife was in a rear bedroom.

Mountainside Officer Michael Pasquale carried the woman out of the home while Sgt. Joseph Giannuzzi escorted out her husband, Osieja said. Once outside of the home both residents were checked and released by the Mountainside Rescue Squad and taken to relatives in Scotch Plains.

While battling the fire, a large piece of glass from an upstairs window fell and struck Firefighter James Debbie III, according to Osieja. Debbie was treated and released from Overlook Hospital with a minor laceration.

Oseija said the fire is still under investigation but the cause might be due to an electrical outlet near the front door of the home.