Paterson NJ 4th alarm 518 Summer St. 02-07-18

On February 7th, 2018 Paterson NJ firefighters faced a fast moving fire that had the potential to take out an entire block. At just before 21:00 hours co's in the 1st battalion responded to a report of a fire at 518 Summer St called in by a passing fire dept ambulance. E-1 quickly arrived to find heavy fire on the 2nd floor a vacant 2.5 story frame with exposure problems and a 2nd alarm was requested, Battalion 1 arrived and confirmed the report. On the arrival of DC-2 Deputy Chief Calamita, he reported extension into exposures B & D and requested a 3rd alarm. Multiple lines were stretched into all buildings as the trucks worked on venting the roofs. At approximately 21:20 a 4th alarm was requested for manpower as all hands were heavily engaged and additional exposures were threatened. As heavy fire broke through the roof of the bravo exposure, L-1 placed their aerial stream into operation to knock down the visible fire. At 22:10 Deputy 2 reported making good progress.
23 people were displaced, 3 homes suffered heavy damage and a 4th with minor damage, 1 firefighter suffered non life threatening injuries and the fire was placed under control at around midnight.