Paterson NJ 4th alm Godwin Ave & Straight St 11-9-14

At approximately 1 am on November 9th, 2014, Paterson Fire Dept responded for a possible building fire in the area of Godwin Ave & Straight St, an area which has a high crime rate, numerous vacant buildings and has seen its share of fires. On arrival co's found a vacant 2-1/2 story frame dwelling at 7 Godwin Ave fully involved with fire rapidly extending into several exposures, a 2nd alarm was immediately requested quickly followed by the 4th alarm, bypassing the 3rd due to fire in at least 3 buildings. Companies immediately started an aggressive interior attack on exposure B, 113 Straight St an occupied 2-1/2 story frame and exposure D, 9 Godwin Ave, a vacant 3 story frame but as conditions rapidly deteriorated, all companies were withdrawn by Deputy 3 Chief Rich Hoedemaker and defensive operations commenced to halt the spread of the fire. The fire also damaged 13 Godwin Ave another vacant 3 story frame and 111 Straight St a vacant 3 story ordinary OMD. All heavy fire was knocked down within an hour and companies remained on the scene through the night overhauling and hitting hotpots, a demolition crew was brought in to knock down the remains the original fire building which suffered a major collapse early in the fire. No injuries were reported but at least 12 people were displaced.