For Immediate Release:
May 5, 2026

Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announces the following information regarding the investigation into a fatal house fire that occurred on Market Street in Elmwood Park, NJ on Friday, May 1, 2026. This joint investigation was conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Jeff Angermeyer, and the Elmwood Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Foligno.

On Friday, May 1, 2026, at approximately 2:02 p.m., the Elmwood Park Police Department and the Elmwood Park Fire Department, along with mutual aid from surrounding agencies, responded to a two-alarm house fire on Market Street in Elmwood Park. During fire suppression efforts, first responders located two victims, one adult female who sustained burn injuries but survived, and 59-year-old Shawn Torres who was pronounced deceased on scene.

Accordingly, the Elmwood Park 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, initiating a joint investigation in conjunction with the Elmwood Park Police Department, Elmwood Park Fire Department, and the Elmwood Park Fire Prevention Bureau. The investigation revealed that the fire was not suspicious in nature.

Prosecutor Mark Musella would like to thank the Elmwood Park Police Department for its assistance. Moreover, he thanks the Elmwood Park Fire Department and the Elmwood Park Fire Prevention Bureau for their assistance in this investigation. In addition, Prosecutor Musella thanks the various first responders from nearby police and fire departments that provided mutual aid during this incident. Additionally, he thanks the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and the Ridgewood Fire Department for their participation in the Bergen County Arson Task Force.