01/22/2026
Fair Lawn, NJ January 21, 2026, A kitten was rescued and a building was severely damaged in a second alarm house fire. Fair Lawn Police officers gained entry during a house fire in the borough and were able to save a small kitten.
The Fair Lawn Fire Department was dispatched to a report of smoke coming from a house on the 13 block of 3rd street at 9:55 PM. Upon arrival, Chief Mike Salvini transmitted a general alarm that quickly escalated to a second alarm to provide coverage in the borough. All four Fair Lawn Fire companies responded to the alarm bringing approximately forty-five firefighters to the scene. The fire was located in a bedroom on the second floor.
Three officers from the Fair Lawn Police Department made entry into the smoke-filled building and successfully located the family’s kitten, reuniting it with its family. The fire was declared under control after approximately 35 minutes with Fair Lawn Fire units remaining on scene to overhaul the building until approximately midnight.
Fair Lawn Fire Chief Michael Salvini said, “We had a quick knockdown of the fire. The freezing conditions produced a very hazardous condition both inside and outside of the building. Although we were able to put out the fire quickly there was major damage to the structure.”
One police officer was transported to an area hospital for smoke inhalation as a precaution. One resident was also treated on the scene for smoke inhalation but did not require hospitalization. The building suffered major damage. The Fair Lawn Office of Emergency Management assisted in the relocation of 10 residents.
The Fair Lawn Rescue Squad, the Fair Lawn Volunteer Ambulance Corp, the Fair Lawn Police Department, and the Fair Lawn Office of Emergency Management also assisted on the scene. Providing mutual aid coverage included the Elmwood Park, Glen Rock, Paramus, Paterson, and Saddle Brook Fire Departments.
The fire is under investigation by the Fair Lawn Fire Prevention Bureau.
