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 on October 3.

Police, fire and PSE&G crews responded to the multi-floor residence shortly before 11:30 a.m. after the blast collapsed the structure. Officers heard the victim, who was alone inside, moaning as fire spread through the debris.

The Rescue

Off-duty officer Hagop Cigercioglu, a 14-year veteran who lives a block away, joined other officers at the scene. He said the victim responded when called to and provided his name. “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. Officers removed sections of wood to create an opening, allowing the man to crawl from under the debris. Cigercioglu and several officers then helped him exit the home.

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

Fire and Utility Response

Ridgefield Police Chief Thomas Gallagher said officers worked to contain the fire, which was fueled 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 flames.

Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco said surrounding homes do not have gas service and that electricity would be cut to the area during the response.

Injuries and Investigation

One firefighter was hospitalized for heat exhaustion. 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. Ridgefield Mayor Anthony Suarez described the incident as a “sad situation” but noted that the outcome could have been significantly worse.