Passaic NJ 4th Alarm, 99 Gregory Ave. 03-02-17
In the early hours of March 2nd 2017 Passaic NJ Fire Dept responded to a reported building fire at 99 Gregory Ave, a large 4 story OMD. Battalion 3, Chief Chris Szczygiel arrived at 01:55 and reported heavy fire showing from several windows on the 1st floor alpha side with reports of people trapped. a 3rd alarm was requested as lines were stretched to the fire apartment and searches conducted.
As fire was extending to the 2nd floor, E-3 reported they had a bad hydrant and command requested the mutual aid engine from Wallington to secure a water source from another hydrant. Conditions appeared to be deteriorating and with companies still not hitting the seat of the fire, command called for an evacuation of the building and switched to a brief exterior attack to knock down the heavy fire after which time companies re-entered the structure. 4 lines were stretched into the building and crews continued to hit pockets of fire and open up, it was discovered that the fire was running the walls, fire was found on the 3rd and 4th floors, a 4th alarm was requested and trucks were sent to the roof to open up the cockloft.
At approximately 03:00 the roof crew reported that there was not any apparent extension into the cockloft but an additional line was requested to the top floor due to fire found in the ceiling. At 03:30 the fire was finally placed as probably will hold but companies continued to hit hot spots on the 3rd and 4th floors. The fire was placed under control just after 04:00. Note the Hackensack tiller was on loan to Passaic and riding as Ladder 1 due to that companies truck being out of service.
Read MoreAs fire was extending to the 2nd floor, E-3 reported they had a bad hydrant and command requested the mutual aid engine from Wallington to secure a water source from another hydrant. Conditions appeared to be deteriorating and with companies still not hitting the seat of the fire, command called for an evacuation of the building and switched to a brief exterior attack to knock down the heavy fire after which time companies re-entered the structure. 4 lines were stretched into the building and crews continued to hit pockets of fire and open up, it was discovered that the fire was running the walls, fire was found on the 3rd and 4th floors, a 4th alarm was requested and trucks were sent to the roof to open up the cockloft.
At approximately 03:00 the roof crew reported that there was not any apparent extension into the cockloft but an additional line was requested to the top floor due to fire found in the ceiling. At 03:30 the fire was finally placed as probably will hold but companies continued to hit hot spots on the 3rd and 4th floors. The fire was placed under control just after 04:00. Note the Hackensack tiller was on loan to Passaic and riding as Ladder 1 due to that companies truck being out of service.