Paterson NJ 4th alarm, 23, 21 & 25 Rose St. 04-14-17
April 14th 2017, Good Friday was not so good for Paterson NJ firefighters tour 3 as they fought back to back fires within an hour of each other. Soon after companies cleared the scene of a fire in a vacant dwelling on Harrison St a fire unit called dispatch and asked if they had any reports of a fire because they had a large column of smoke showing in the area of Market St. The dispatcher stated they were just transmitting the box for numerous calls reporting a fire in an vacant dwelling on Rose St. The box was transmitted at 14:25 and companies quickly arrived to find heavy fire at 23 Rose St, a vacant 2.5 story frame, fire had already extended into exposure B & D and a 2nd alarm was requested. Upon arrival of Deputy Chief Henderson he reported 3 dwellings heavily involved with extension into exposure D-1 a 3 story frame under renovation, he also reported companies where having difficulties getting into the fire scene due to heavy traffic in the area, numerous wires down in the street, an ember problem which had already ignited an outside fire in the rear of a home across the street and requested a 3rd alarm. Due to the fire conditions companies were unable to enter any of the 3 buildings involved, 2 ladder pipes, 2 deck guns and numerous hand lines were put into service as lines were stretched into exposures D-1 and B-1 as well as to the rear to protect the charlie exposure which suffered radiant heat damage as well.
At 14:50 a 4th alarm was requested for manpower as companies continued to work on protecting exposures and keeping the fire from spreading further. All 3 buildings suffered major collapses and a collapse zone was set up in front of the buildings. At 16:30 command requested emergency demolition due to the condition of the buildings and to assist with extinguishment due to fire continuing to burn in the rubble of the collapsed areas.
The fire was finally placed under control at 18:45 with companies remaining on the scene for several hours. Companies were hampered but able to overcome several factors, a well advanced fire involving 3 structures on arrival in an area with very closely spaced buildings, live wires down in the street, a very narrow street which limited apparatus access, heavy traffic in the area which delayed companies getting to the scene and wind gusts which pushed the fire and spread embers through the neighborhood. In all 3 buildings were destroyed and 5 more suffered damage, 2 firefighters and 2 civilians were injured, 16 people were displaced, 1 dog was rescued and turned over to its owner. The cause of the fire is under investigation however the home where the fire started was known to be frequented by vagrants and had suffered a minor fire several months ago.
Read MoreAt 14:50 a 4th alarm was requested for manpower as companies continued to work on protecting exposures and keeping the fire from spreading further. All 3 buildings suffered major collapses and a collapse zone was set up in front of the buildings. At 16:30 command requested emergency demolition due to the condition of the buildings and to assist with extinguishment due to fire continuing to burn in the rubble of the collapsed areas.
The fire was finally placed under control at 18:45 with companies remaining on the scene for several hours. Companies were hampered but able to overcome several factors, a well advanced fire involving 3 structures on arrival in an area with very closely spaced buildings, live wires down in the street, a very narrow street which limited apparatus access, heavy traffic in the area which delayed companies getting to the scene and wind gusts which pushed the fire and spread embers through the neighborhood. In all 3 buildings were destroyed and 5 more suffered damage, 2 firefighters and 2 civilians were injured, 16 people were displaced, 1 dog was rescued and turned over to its owner. The cause of the fire is under investigation however the home where the fire started was known to be frequented by vagrants and had suffered a minor fire several months ago.
