Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announces the following updated information regarding an investigation into a fatal fire at 850 Broad Avenue in Ridgefield, NJ, that occurred on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. An investigation is being conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Acting Chief Matthew Finck and the Ridgefield Police Department under the direction of Chief Thomas Gallagher.
As previously reported, on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at approximately 2:21 a.m., the Ridgefield Police Department received a report of a fire at 850 Broad Avenue. Ridgefield Police officers responded along with members of the Ridgefield Fire Department. Fire suppression efforts were conducted with assistance from area fire departments, during which the body of 42-year-old Xavier Contreras was located within the main floor of the residence. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Task Force was notified and responded to investigate the origin and cause of the fire, and this remains an active investigation. No additional information is available at this time.
Prosecutor Musella would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance during this ongoing investigation: Ridgefield Police Department; the Ridgefield, Palisades Park, Fairview, Cliffside Park, Little Ferry, and Carlstadt Fire Departments; the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office; and the Mahwah Police Department and Hackensack Fire Department, which both participate in the Bergen County Arson Task Force.
