Paterson NJ 5th alarm, 255-263 River St. 05-06-19
Paterson NJ firefighters were dispatched to a reported fire at 257 River St just prior to 01:00 on May 6th, 2019 in what would become a very busy night.
On arrival of 1st due E-5, the captain reported heavy fire showing from the 2nd floor of a large 3 story ordinary building. Multiple lines were quickly stretched into the building as the trucks opened up and conducted searches as the 2nd alarm was struck within 5 minutes of arrival as co's appeared to be making progress and the main body of fire appeared to be knocked down. Deputy 2, Chief Calamita took over command at 01:05 and reported heavy fire once again showing from the 2nd floor.
The building was approximately 200' X 50' and contained stores on the 1st floor with apts on the 2nd and 3rd. The area where the fire appeared to have started was vacant. At 01:25, crew reported heavy fire in the cockloft and top floor forcing command to evacuate the building. Heavy fire raced across the cockloft and dropped down into the 3rd and 2nd floors as co's experienced water pressure issues.
1 Ladder pipe, 2 tower ladders, 2 deck guns and several hand lines were put into operation as a collapse zone was established. Besides the water pressure problems, access to the rear of the building was restricted due to the fact that the building was built up against the Passaic River. Several collapses occurred, one which destroyed a vehicle parked in front of the building when a large section of the front wall fell outward. Co's continued to operated for several hours and at 04:00 command reported all companies still working but making progress. The fire was placed under control just before 06:30, no injuries were reported and several people were left homeless. During this fire, both mutual aid co's and Paterson co's responded to 2 additional fires, 1 in a commercial building and 1 in a vacant frame.
Read MoreOn arrival of 1st due E-5, the captain reported heavy fire showing from the 2nd floor of a large 3 story ordinary building. Multiple lines were quickly stretched into the building as the trucks opened up and conducted searches as the 2nd alarm was struck within 5 minutes of arrival as co's appeared to be making progress and the main body of fire appeared to be knocked down. Deputy 2, Chief Calamita took over command at 01:05 and reported heavy fire once again showing from the 2nd floor.
The building was approximately 200' X 50' and contained stores on the 1st floor with apts on the 2nd and 3rd. The area where the fire appeared to have started was vacant. At 01:25, crew reported heavy fire in the cockloft and top floor forcing command to evacuate the building. Heavy fire raced across the cockloft and dropped down into the 3rd and 2nd floors as co's experienced water pressure issues.
1 Ladder pipe, 2 tower ladders, 2 deck guns and several hand lines were put into operation as a collapse zone was established. Besides the water pressure problems, access to the rear of the building was restricted due to the fact that the building was built up against the Passaic River. Several collapses occurred, one which destroyed a vehicle parked in front of the building when a large section of the front wall fell outward. Co's continued to operated for several hours and at 04:00 command reported all companies still working but making progress. The fire was placed under control just before 06:30, no injuries were reported and several people were left homeless. During this fire, both mutual aid co's and Paterson co's responded to 2 additional fires, 1 in a commercial building and 1 in a vacant frame.
