Closter — Not much is left of a home on 63 Old Closter Dock Road, after a fire Friday evening destroyed the house.

The Dooly family owns the home, said friend and firefighter Pat O’Brien, who was one of the first responders at the scene.

According to Fire Chief Brian Pierro, the entire front of the house was engulfed in flames when the department responded shortly after 5 p.m. Aug. 8.

"The front porch and front of the house was fully involved in fire," he said. Firefighters from Closter, Demarest, Northvale and Norwood helped to suppress the flames. Pierro said the Bergen County Arson Squad was still investigating the cause. It is rumored that the fire started because of a candle was left burning on wicker furniture. Put investigators have not officially pinpointed a cause.

Pierro said there was considerable "volume of fire" and the building has been deemed unsafe.

"The porch was fully enveloped and it blew out the front windows and took everything else. The first floor and second and attic, there is nothing left of the house," he said.

The firefighters controlled the fire within 45 minutes but remained on scene for six hours because of the investigation, said Pierro. Firefighters were able to enter the house and fight it from within after they had reduced the flames externally, he said.

Pierro said a "fast team" from Northvale was on standby in case any firefighters needed to be rescued but no injuries were reported.

O’Brien, a fireman, was one of the first responders and said he is in the process of establishing a fund to support the family in their time of need.

"We don’t know what they are going to need … if they do end up renting a house and it needs furnishings … so we are looking for donations for a fund," said O’Brien who added the Doolys still have to speak with their insurance company about compensation.

For information on the Dooly fund call O’Brien at 201-784-9032.

E-mail: wilde@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6706