Elderly Woman Perishes & Three Hospitalized In Friday Morning Ringwood Fire

Friday, January 16, 2026, 4:00 P.M. ET. 1 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

RINGWOOD, NJ.- Investigators of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Investigations Unit, the Ringwood Police Department, and Passaic County Fire Officials are continuing the investigation into the circumstances surrounding a residential fire that claimed the life of an elderly woman, and left three others injured when fire erupted this morning inside a Ringwood, New Jersey home.

     According to Passaic County Prosecutor Camela M. Valdes, on Friday, January 16, 2026, at around 6:30 a.m., members of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office were notified of a residential fire that had occurred at a home located at 30 Peters Mine Road in Ringwood, New Jersey. 

     Upon arrival, Investigators were informed by members of the Ringwood Police Department and Fire Prevention Bureau Officials that seven residents of the home had escaped the fire, with three transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center for treatment of fire-related injuries. Another resident of the home, identified as a 74-year-old woman, was unable to escape the home and was subsequently found deceased.

     The investigation remains active and ongoing as Fire Officials continue to investigate the cause and origin of the fire.

     Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org. You may also submit a tip anonymously at https://pcponj.opsnetwork.org/tips.