Off-Duty Ridgefield Officer Rescues Man From Explosion Rubble

An off-duty Ridgefield police officer rescued an injured man from the rubble of a single-family home destroyed by an explosion in Ridgefield, New Jersey. Police, fire and PSE&G officials responded to the scene shortly before 11:30 a.m. after the multi-floor residence collapsed.

The Rescue

Officers heard the victim, who was alone inside, moaning as fire spread through the property. Off-duty officer Hagop Cigercioglu, a 14-year veteran who lives a block away, worked with other officers to lift a large plank of wood, allowing the man to crawl out from under the debris.

“As I called to him, he did respond. He gave his name, and I advised him of the house that was on fire, that he needed to crawl out,” Cigercioglu said. “We were able to take some wood out to make a big enough hole where he crawled out. And several officers and I helped him get out of the house.”

The victim was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center in stable condition. His identity has not been released.

Fire and Utility Response

Ridgefield Police Chief Thomas Gallagher said officers worked to contain the fire, which was being fed by a gas leak. It remains unclear whether the leak caused the explosion. PSE&G crews shut off the gas supply, and the Ridgefield Fire Department extinguished the blaze.

Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco said surrounding homes do not have gas service and electricity to the area was also cut off during the response.

Injuries and Investigation

One firefighter was hospitalized for heat exhaustion, and two police officers received treatment for minor injuries. Bergen County prosecutors and the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety are investigating the cause of the explosion.

“This is a sad situation,” Ridgefield Mayor Anthony Suarez said. “Fortunately for the borough it could’ve been a heck of a lot worse.”