Prosecutor: Fire that killed Ridgefield mother, son doesn’t seem suspicious

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: Bergen County Prosecutor’s John L. Molinelli this afternoon said a fast-moving fire that killed a 55-year-old Ridgefield nurse and her 14-year-old son doesn’t appear suspicious but is still being investigated by his arson squad, along with the Ridgefield Fire Department and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Identification.“Evidence known at this time suggests that the fire is not of suspicious origin,” the prosecutor said, “but the investigation will continue due to the significant structural damage done to the property.”

Photo Credit: *Cliffview Pilot File Photo*

Jerry DeMarco

11/17/2012 9:09 p.m.

A 911 call just before 5:30 this morning brought police and firefighters to 962 Linden Avenue, where Jeralyn Scibetta lived with her husband and two youngest sons. They found the house fully engulfed.

After finding the first victim, they spent hours sifting through the remains for the second, which was removed just before noon.

Cibetta’s husband, Ben, was reportedly taken to Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck. Their college-age son and his girlfriend both got out, neighbors said.

However, “Jeri” Sciabetta and their teenaged son, Daniel, died, Molinelli said.

A third son, Richard, is a firefighter with North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue who used to work as a corrections officer for the state.

Richard Sciabetta is a U.S. Army combat veteran who was wounded by an IED in Iraq. His mother spent time with him in Ramstein, Germany after he was injured before they returned to the states.

Jeralyn Sciabetta, a nurse, worked at Palisades Medical Center.

Ridgefield firefighters were assisted by their colleagues from Cliffside Park, Englewood and Palisades Park.

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