BOONTON — On Tuesday, June 4, at 4:27 p.m., a fire severely damaged Codey-Mackey Funeral Home at 107 Essex Avenue, Boonton. The funeral home is owned by former New Jersey Acting Governor Richard Codey. “They did a great job,” Codey said. “I wasn’t surprised. I’ve seen what they do since I’ve been here.”
Fire Chief Cosentino was on the scene and established command about one minute from dispatch. The first due engine was on the scene in under three minutes.
He confirmed that “a roofer was working on the scene before our arrival.”
Hose lines were deployed through the front door to the third floor and directly to the third via a ladder. The fire was under control at 5:11 p.m. when supporting crews arrived in force.
Three firefighters were evaluated for heat exhaustion during the response as temperatures reached the 80s. Two were taken to St. Clare’s Denville Hospital for evaluation by the Morris County Office of Emergency Management. OEM Director Jeff Paul reported they were in good condition.
Chief Cosentino noted that the roofers were completing a repair job when they noticed smoke and attempted to stop it with three fire extinguishers. However, he said they had “no success due to the fire being in a void outside their scope” between one roof and another pre-existing roof.
“Crews went in and established a decent fire between two separate roofs between the second and third floors,” Cosentino said.
Codey mentioned that no services were being conducted at the time. He was there making arrangements for a future service when the fire broke out.
“I don’t know, maybe a spark or something,” started the fire, he speculated.
Most of the damage was due to water. The fire remains under investigation.
Crews worked tirelessly on the roof (which was on fire) and on the 3rd division. Tight compartments and hidden fire hindered access, requiring extensive overhaul. Multiple roofs, asphalt, slate, and rolled added to the complexity. The scene was placed under control within about 40 minutes.
Codey retired last year from the seat he held in the New Jersey Senate for 42 years. He also served in the state Assembly from 1974 to 1982.
The Codey & Mackey Funeral Home has been a proud fixture in our Morris County community for over a century.
Owned by Richard J. Codey, a third-generation funeral director and former governor of New Jersey, our business delivers personal and attentive service during one of the worst periods of a family’s life. The staff learns and understands the families and their needs, beliefs, customs, and desires.
Codey purchased the Mackey Funeral Home a decade ago, adding to a three-generation family business that includes another home in Caldwell. The Boonton location has operated as a funeral home since 1928. Built in 1920, the classic Victorian is surrounded by parking space, with entrances on both Essex and West Main.
