Police Press Release:
Oakland Police Department Press Release (Oakland case # 12-00897)
On February 27, 2012 at approximately 4:50 p.m. the Oakland Police Department received a report of a house fire at 79 Grove Street. Members of the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department and the Oakland First Aid Squad were immediately dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, it was determined that the resident was still inside the home.
The rear of the structure had heavy smoke and flames emerging from one of the bedrooms. Members of the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department quickly made entry and located the victim, Carmine Della Bruna, 71, unconscious in the hallway. He was removed from the structure and subsequently transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Wayne by the Oakland First Aid Squad and a Paramedic unit from Valley Hospital. Della Bruna tragically succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 5:57 p.m. by doctors from St. Joseph’s Hospital.
The exact cause of death has not been determined and an autopsy is scheduled to take place today. February 28, 2012.
The Della Bruna’s family dog was also found expired within the home, dying from suspected smoke inhalation.
The fire was investigated by Detective Bart Pagerie of the Oakland Police Department along with members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Major Crimes Unit and the Bergen County Sheriffs Department, B.C.I. Unit. The exact cause of the fire has not been determined although it does not appear to be suspicious at this time and remains under investigation.
Lt. Chris Eldridge Oakland Police Depatment
Original Post
A Grove Street house fire caused the death of a man and his dog last evening, February 27th. His wife got out safely. According to the Cliffview Pilot the fire may have started from a lit cigar. Oakland, Franklin Lakes and Wyckoff Fire Departments all responded to the call.
An article in The Bergen Record online gives more details. Click here to read the story.
We will update this article as we learn more information.