Maywood NJ 2nd Alarm, 100 Demarest Pl. 01-20-19

Maywood NJ firefighters had to contend with bitterly cold temperatures compounded by severe colliers mansion conditions while fighting a fire in a garden apartment on January 20th, 2019. Numerous calls flooded the police dept dispatch office just after 21:30 reporting a fire at 100 Demarest Pl., a complex of 2 story garden apartment buildings built after WW2. Co's arrived to heavy smoke showing from the building and fire visible from a 2nd floor bathroom window at which time a 2nd alarm was requested to the scene. A hand line was stretched to the entry door and that is as far as it could get as the stairwell to the 2nd floor apt was completely packed with clutter which needed to be removed before the line could advance. As a crew went to the roof for ventilation, ground ladders were set up and horizontal ventilation was attempted but once again due to heavy clutter up against the windows this proved to be fruitless. As firefighters worked to gain entry an additional hand line was used to knock down the fire visible in the window. 2 hand lines were finally able to advance into the apartment and the main body of fire was knocked down however overhaul was long and tedious because all the clutter and storage needed to be removed which resulted in 2 large piles of debris outside the building. As members were nearing completion of overhaul command was advised that the floor was feeling spongy and it was discovered that due to the weight of all the storage compounded by the water used to fight the fire, several floor joists were damaged and at least 2 severely cracked which forced command to remove all the members from the building and the entire building being condemned until repairs can be made. No injuries were reported, the fire was placed under control just before 23:30 and the cause was determined to be unattended candles and incense. Several cats were rescued however several other were found deceased. Co's from Hackensack, Rochelle Park, Saddle Brook and Paramus assisted at the scene.