Accident – Death – Obituary News : **Body of Man Found at Site of Historic Bed and Breakfast in Bergen County**
Authorities in Bergen County have made a grim discovery at the site of a historic bed and breakfast that was destroyed in a fire earlier this week. The Toddle Inn, located at 850 Broad Avenue in Ridgefield, went up in flames on Wednesday morning, just two weeks before it was scheduled to be demolished. During a search of the rubble left in the aftermath of the fire, the body of a man was found, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
**Identification of the Deceased**
The man has been identified as 42-year-old Xavier Contreras, officials confirmed. It remains unclear whether Contreras perished in the fire or if his body was already inside the building before the blaze began. The tragic incident has left the community in shock as they come to terms with the loss of a life.
**Condition of the Inn**
Prior to the fire, the Toddle Inn, which is believed to be over 100 years old, was unoccupied and had no utilities connected. The building had boarded-up windows and was in a state of disrepair, as reported by NorthJersey.com. Firefighters responded to the scene in the early hours of the morning and managed to extinguish the flames within an hour.
**Previous Ownership and Redevelopment Plans**
The inn was previously owned by Councilman Angus Todd, who passed away in 2020. The property has since changed hands and is slated for redevelopment, according to reports. The future of the site remains uncertain as investigations into the cause of the fire and Contreras’ death continue.
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By providing more context and details about the incident at the Toddle Inn, we hope to shed light on this tragic event and honour the memory of Xavier Contreras..