Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announces the following updated information regarding the investigation into the two-alarm fire that occurred on Jay Avenue in Lyndhurst, NJ, on Thursday, December 5, 2024. This joint investigation was conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck and the Lyndhurst Police Department under the direction of Chief Richard Jarvis.
On Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 5:34 a.m., the Lyndhurst Police Department and Lyndhurst Fire Department, along with mutual aid from surrounding agencies, responded to a fire inside a multi-family, private residence on Jay Street. During their initial response and fire suppression efforts of the two-alarm fire, the Lyndhurst Police Department and Fire Department evacuated an unresponsive, adult male victim located on the third floor. First responders began CPR on scene and the victim, later identified as 27-year-old Ahmed Abidar, was transported to Clara Maass Medical Center in critical condition. Additional victims of the fire either self-evacuated or were located and assisted by first responders. These victims were also transported to area hospitals for treatment. On Friday, December 6, 2024, Ahmed Abidar, died as a result of his injuries.
The Lyndhurst Police Department notified the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Squad and requested assistance from the Bergen County Arson Task Force. Detectives and arson investigators from the Prosecutor’s Office responded to the scene on the morning of December 5, 2024, and initiated an investigation in conjunction with the Lyndhurst Police Department, Lyndhurst Fire Department, and Lyndhurst Fire Prevention Bureau. The investigation conducted by the Bergen County Arson Squad and local fire officials into the fatal fire revealed that it does not appear suspicious in nature.
Prosecutor Musella would like to thank the Lyndhurst Police Department, Lyndhurst Fire Department, Lyndhurst Fire Prevention Bureau, and the surrounding Fire Departments that supplied mutual-aid assistance during the response to this fire. Additionally, Prosecutor Musella thanks the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and the River Vale Police Department for their participation in the Bergen County Arson Task Force.