Paterson NJ G/A 161-163 Fair St. 03-09-14

On Sunday March 9th, 2014 Paterson Fire Dept 3rd platoon was again faced with a major fire when around 13:20 Fire Alarm started receiving multiple calls for a building fire in the area of Fair St and Auburn St, while enroute a heavy smoke condition could be seen in the area and the 1st due company reported heavy fire from over a block away, companies were also advised of people possibly trapped. On arrival companies found heavy fire in 2 vacant 3 story frame dwellings at 161 and 163 Fair St, several squatters were immediately rescued from the rear of the building as companies went to a defensive attack due to the volume of fire. A 2nd alarm was requested followed by a 3rd alarm and as companies were making some progress fire was discovered in a vacant 2.5 story frame at 84 Auburn St on the corner of Fair St, fire was showing from the roof as companies forced entry and stretched an attack line into the building, as companies were advancing into this building, fire was also discovered at 171 Fair St which was a dilapidated and vacant 2 story frame dwelling, smoke was pushing from the cockloft as again companies forced entry, stretched a line and L-3 re-positioned their ladder pipe to protect the occupied building at 167 Fair St, Acting Deputy 3 requested an additional full box to the scene and BC-1 assumed command of the Auburn St. fire which was fought by Paterson L-1, R-2, Hawthorne T-1, Passaic T-1 and engines from North Haledon, Little Falls and Garfield, both these fire where quickly knocked down but required extensive overhaul, it was determined that these 2 additional fires were the result of flying brands from the main fire and an additional engine was requested to patrol the area to check for any other possible fires. The fire was placed under control at approximately 15:30 but companies remained on the scene for several hours hitting hot spots while a demolition crew tore down both homes, a K-9 unit from the Bergen County Sheriffs Dept was also on scene searching the debris for any possible victims, none were found.