Paterson NJ 3rd alarm, 195 &197 5th Ave. 12-18-14

On December 18th while the members of the Paterson Fire Dept were operating at a 4th alarm fire, PFD fire alarm started receiving calls for a fire at 195 5th Ave. at @06:05. An off duty deputy chief reported a working fire on the 1st floor of an unoccupied 2-1/2 story frame dwelling, it was reported that the building was under renovation. Exposure D, a large 2-1/2 story frame OMD was quickly evacuated as mutual aid companies which were responding into the city for cover were directed to this fire. Deputy Chief Brian McDermott arrived and took command as Hawthorne Tower 2 arrived on scene followed by a ladder tower from Wayne, West Paterson E-2 and Clifton E-2, companies encountered 2 bad hydrants which delayed the water supply as the original fire building as well as the exposure became fully involved. A moderate wind blew large fire brands through out the neighborhood but thankfully no other structures became involved. As water supplies were established companies went into service with master streams and large outside hand lines. The fire eventually went to 3 alarms and companies placed 3 ladder pipes, 2 deck guns and at least 3 hand lines into operation. The fire took several hours to be placed under control, no injuries were reported but both buildings were destroyed and at least 8 people left homeless. Ironically this fire occured directly across the street from another 3 alarm fire which occurred in an unoccupied dwelling 2 nights before.