A 2-alarm fire at a multi-unit house on Jacoby Street in Maplewood on December 20 has left several families homeless. Nine adults and two children escaped safety from the building. No person was injured, but a pet cat succumbed to injuries.
The house is located on Jacoby between Springfield Avenue and Boyden Avenue, behind Seth Boyden School.
GoFundMe accounts have been established to aid two of the families; click here to find out more.
South Essex Fire Chief Joseph Alvarez reported that the dispatch call for a residential structure fire came in around 10:30 p.m. A full assignment was called for SEFD, with Squad 32 from the firehouse at Boyden Avenue and Springfield Avenue arriving first. Deputy Chief Steve Cassiello of SEFD took command of the scene.
“They were met with heavy fire coming out the second floor and reaching up to the third,” said Alvarez. “Meanwhile, multiple calls were coming in.”
Photo by Dan Cohen, SORS.
Mutual aid from Irvington, Orange and Millburn came in to the scene to back up the SEFD, and Newark responded to the fire houses to cover Maplewood and South Orange, with Irvington ultimately hosing down the siding on neighboring houses to prevent further damage and the spread of fire. When the second alarm was transmitted, Newark sent two pumpers, a ladder truck, and a battalion chief, said Alvarez. Four hoses were stretched into the structure.
The fire was contained by 1:15 a.m.
Millburn provided a RIT (Rapid Intervention Team), a specialized team that stands by at structure fires, ready to rescue a downed firefighter if needed. The South Orange Rescue Squad and The Bell and Siren Club also responded to the scene to provide EMS standby and rehab services.
Mutual aid companies providing house coverage included the Bloomfield, Belleville, and Cedar Grove Fire Departments.
The Red Cross also relocated the families.
“There’s heavy fire damage to the second and third floors, which means no one can stay there, and water damage on the first and second,” said Alvarez.
Photo from neighbor’s doorbell camera.
Village Green will provide information on how to help the families when we have it.
Alvarez told Village Green that the consolidated fire department allowed for a more robust response from the start, getting more personnel and equipment to the fire than if it had only been Maplewood responding. (South Orange and Maplewood consolidated fire departments in 2022 to become the South Essex Fire Department.)
The fire started on the second floor. The cause is still under investigation by the Maplewood Fire Marshal’s office along with the SEFD Fire Investigation Team.
UPDATE: Press release sent at 1:06 p.m. on December 21, 2025:
Press Release
12/20/2025 Structure Fire
Maplewood- At 22:15 on December 20th, South Essex Fire Department was dispatched to Jacoby Street for a report of a structure fire. Responding units included Deputy 4, Engine 83, Engine 33, Squad 32, and Ladder 81.
Squad 32 arrived on scene at 22:17 and confirmed a working fire in a multi-family residence with heavy fire conditions on the second and third floors. A signal 11 and simultaneous 2nd alarm were transmitted bringing in mutual aid directly to the fire scene. Faced with advanced fire conditions threatening multiple exposure buildings, companies were able to rapidly stretch multiple interior handlines and exposure protection lines to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to neighboring residences.
Units operated on scene battling a stubborn fire with access issues in extreme wind conditions and freezing temperatures for approximately 2 hours with the fire being placed under control at 23:52. No injuries were reported to residents or units operating. A total of 9 adults and 2 children were displaced as a result of the fire with 1 pet cat unfortunately succumbing to injuries sustained. The American Red Cross was requested to the scene to assist those displaced residents.
Chief Alvarez commends the initial alarm companies for their swift actions as well as extends his sincere gratitude to our mutual aid partners both on scene and providing house coverage.
The mutual aid units operating at the fire scene included the Orange, Irvington, Millburn, and Newark Fire Departments. The South Orange Rescue Squad and The Bell and Siren Club also responded to the scene to provide EMS standby and rehab services.
Mutual aid companies providing house coverage included the Bloomfield, Belleville, and Cedar Grove Fire Departments.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Maplewood Township Fire Official. Any questions or requests for information regarding the cause and investigation should be directed through the Maplewood Fire Prevention Bureau. An update regarding the cause will be provided by the South Essex Fire Department as that information becomes available.
Any other questions or requests for information regarding the response and operation at the fire scene can be directed through the South Essex Public Information Officer, Captain William Davitt at [email protected], or through the Fire Chief, Chief Joseph Alvarez at [email protected].
Photos from the SEFD:
