Paterson NJ 2nd alarm, 202 Pacific St. 03-30-16

At approximately 11:15 on March 30th, 2016, the Paterson Fire Alarm office received several calls for a building fire in the area of Main St & Levine St. as soon as companies were dispatched, several units notified dispatch of a heavy smoke condition visible in the area. As BC 1 and E-6 arrived from their quarters only blocks away, a working fire was declared for heavy fire in the rear of a 2-1/2 story frame dwelling. The entire rear of the dwelling was fully involved with extension into all floors including the attic. Companies mounted an offensive attack with numerous hand lines and L-1 vented the roof as conditions continued to deteriorate forcing Deputy 3 to evacuate the building. After about 20 minutes of defensive firefighting, all outside streams were shut down and companies re-enter the building making their way to the attic which was still heavily involved, at this point command requested a 2nd alarm for manpower. With the main body of fire knocked down and companies overhauling, 1 firefighter fell through a hole in the floor of the attic and suffered non-life threatening injuries which required transportation to the hospital. The fire was placed under control in about an hour and a half and left over a dozen people homeless.