Irvington NJ 3rd alarm+, 889 Springfield Ave. 12-03-19

Irvington NJ firefighters had their hands full on the evening of December 3rd, 2019 when they were dispatched to a report of a fire at 889 Springfield Ave. just before 22:00. Due to numerous calls being received and the PD reporting a working fire, the all hands was transmitted by the chief while he was still enroute which added Maplewood E-32 to the box. On arrival, companies faced heavy fire on the 1st and 2nd floors of a large 3 story frame building housing stores on the 1st floor and apartments above. Due to the heavy fire conditions, the 1st engine was ordered to hit it with their deck gun, command also requested 2 additional engines to the scene. With the fire traveling the walls into the upper floors, command requested that the 2nd alarm be filled out. With 4 lines stretched and operating, it appeared companies were getting the upper hand however crews reported heavy fire on the 3rd floor rear apt kitchen and requested a line, the trucks on the roof reported heavy smoke and heat from the vent holes. At @22:45 interior crews were still requesting additional hand lines on the 2nd & 3rd floors and with conditions appearing to be deteriorating, all members were ordered off the roof. At 23:00 command reported 6 lines and 1 master stream in operation with extensive overhaul but still DWH, at 23:40 with companies still reporting fire conditions on all floors the 3rd alarm was transmitted along with a request for an additional 2 engines and a ladder from Newark. After some very tedious truck work opening up to get to the fire in the walls and ceilings, the fire was finally placed under control at 00:10 hours with extensive overhaul in progress. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.