Paterson NJ 4th alarm, 241 & 239 Rosa Parks Blvd. 11-18-19

Shortly after 22:00 on November 18th, 2019, Paterson Fire Dispatch transmitted the box for a possible fire at 239 Rosa Parks Blvd. On arrival companies reported a working fire in a vacant 2 story frame building which had housed a fried chicken restaurant on the 1st floor and apts on the 2nd floor. With heavy fire showing from the rear on both floors, companies forced entry through the front and mounted an aggressive interior attack. A 2nd alarm was requested at 22:12 which was quickly followed by a 3rd alarm ordered by Chief of Dept. Brian McDermott due to heavy fire and extension into the B exposure, an occupied 2.5 story frame. As conditions deteriorated, all members were pulled from the original fire building and additional attack lines were stretched into the exposure in order to stop the fire spread. As master streams were being set up a collapse was reported in the rear of the main fire building and a 4th alarm was requested. The original fire building was destroyed however the exposure building, although sustaining damage on all floors was saved. 15 people were left homeless and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire which took several hours to be placed under control is under investigation.