Paramus NJ Fatal 2nd alarm, 49 Forest Ave. 09-18-17

At just around 06:35 on September 18th, 2017 Paramus Fire Dept co's 4, 2 and the rescue were dispatched to 49 Forest Ave for a reported house fire. Police patrol units arrived and reported a working fire in a rear bedroom with a heavy smoke condition and reports of a person trapped. As co's were responding, the patrol units reported heavy fire conditions in the rear and a 2nd alarm was sounded bringing co's 1 and 3 to the scene. Upon arrival of Chief Niland, car 60, he confirmed the police report and was putting all co's to work. E-4 stretched an attack line through the front door as a crew from T-4 started a primary search. As additional co's arrived, E-2 established a water supply and additional lines were stretched into the building, heavy fire was showing from the 1st and 2nd floors of the charlie and delta sides of the home. Under heavy smoke and high heat the victim was located in a rear bedroom and removed from the building where he was turned over to EMS but was sadly pronounced DOA. T-1 vented the roof and with several hand lines operating the fire was knocked down and placed under control at approximately 07:30. Co's remained on the scene for several more hours overhauling and assisting with the investigation. The cause was determined to be an overheated power strip, no other injuries were reported. Mutual aid co's from Maywood, Rochelle Park and River Edge assisted at the scene and additional mutual aid co's provided station coverage.