Minor Fire In The Oven

Leftover residue in oven creates smoke at Columbia High School.

Columbia High School students got a first-hand lesson in fire safety on Wednesday afternoon.  An oven set to the self-cleaning function created a smokey situation at the high school around 12:29 p.m., Maplewood Deputy Fire Chief Tom McNulty said.  The oven malfuctioned, McNulty said, and cooking residue burned up inside the appliance, setting off the fire alarm. The fire happened in a special education classroom while class was out of session, according to an e-mail from Suzanne Turner, the school district's Director of Strategic Communications. The oven was in the room because it is used to teach a life skills class, her e-mail said.  McNulty said the small fire was confined to the oven and a school worker used a fire extinguisher on it. …

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Lifeguard Rescued at Community Pool

He apparently lost consciousness during an underwater swimming competition.

A lifeguard at the Maplewood Municipal pool nearly drowned on Friday during a swimming competition. According to a Maplewood Fire Department spokesman, the lifeguard appeared to be in danger of drowning during an underwater swimming competition at the pool. The lifeguard sank to the bottom of the pool, and was unconscious for about a minute after being pulled from the water. He was revived and conscious when the Fire Department emergency squad arrived and was taken to a hospital for examination before being released.

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Breaking: Fire On Garfield Place

Emergency Communication report a garage and car fire

Around 4:30 on Friday, June 12, the Maplewood Fire Department responded to a fire on Garfield Place, according to emergency communications. The fire reportedly started in the car, and then spread to a two-car unattached garage. The fire department was not available to comment on the incident when contacted. We will provide more information when it becomes available. 

Accident on Parker Avenue

A car is stuck on its side after an accident; driver reportedly has minor injuries.

Shortly after 6 p.m. on Wednesday, a car overturned following an accident on Parker Avenue near Orchard Road. The vehicle ended up on its side, with the driver reportedly trapped inside for a while. According to an account by one witness, the woman driving the car was headed west on Parker —"going a little fast" according to our witness—and flipped her car into the eastbound lane after clipping a parked car. A Patch reader who asked not to be identified took pictures from the scene. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

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Richardella Sworn in as Chief

The new fire chief makes emotional speech to packed Town Hall

Surrounded by his family and in front of dozens of firefighters and department supporters, Joseph Richardella became Maplewood’s fire chief at the onset of the April 7 Township Committee meeting. He underscored the importance of the position, but said he’d still be the same “Joe” in spite of the new responsibility. Richardella, a Maplewood native and longtime township fire fighter, takes over for Dennis Carragher, who announced his retirement earlier this year as part of the department’s job savings budget concessions. In a previous interview, Deputy Mayor Fred Profeta said the Township Committee was enthusiastic that Richardella was taking the post. The enthusiasm was evident when the Township Committee unanimously passed the resolution …

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New Fire Chief Will Bring Change to the Department

Deputy Mayor Fred Profeta says newly appointed Fire Chief Joseph Richardella will bring new energy and ideas to the fire department.

Maplewood Deputy Mayor Fred Profeta is bullish on the newly appointed fire chief Joseph Richardella. Profeta praised Richardella’s local roots—the new chief is a 27-year veteran of the department and a Columbia High School graduate—and commitment to the township. “He has a genuine enthusiasm and love for his job that is obvious to anyone who speaks to him about it,” Profeta said in an email to Patch. Richardella, who was picked as the new Chief by the Township Committee on Monday, March 23, replaces Chief Dennis Carragher, who stepped down early as part of an effort to avoid layoffs in the fire department. Profeta said to expect forward-looking changes to the department under Richardella’s stead. “Joe is also committed to enhancing mutual …

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