Paterson NJ 5th alarm, 410 Straight St. 08-24-19
Paterson NJ Firefighters from tour 1 faced numerous challenges on the morning of August 24th 2019 fighting a massive fire that destroyed a large mill constructed building and required a massive response. At just before 11:00, fire dispatch transmitted the box for a possible fire at 410 Straight St. the Straight & Narrow halfway house, owned and operated by the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Paterson. Upon arrival, battalion 2 reported heavy smoke showing from the roof of the 3 story 150 X 300 converted mill. Upon arrival of Deputy 1 Chief A.J. Ricciardi, he reported heavy fire through out, transmitted the 2nd alarm and advised dispatch to be prepared for additional alarms. Due to the heavy fire conditions a defensive attack was set up as 55 gallon drums exploded, 1 literally blowing off a portion of the roof and skyrocketing a couple of hundred feet into the air in flames. In less than 15 minutes of arrival, a 3rd alarm was transmitted bringing all on duty fire companies, 7 engines, 3 ladders and the rescue to the scene, major collapses were already also being reported. At approximately 11:15 Car 1 C.O.D McDermott arrived and transmitted the 4th alarm.
Multiple master streams were set up around the building including 2 ladder pipes, 2 tower ladders, numerous ground monitors, large diameter hand lines and several deck guns. All exposures were covered although several residential buildings across the street suffered some radiant heat damage. A 5th alarm was transmitted at 11:50 with co's requested to stage and await orders. At the height of the fire, the smoke condition could be scene over 30 miles away, several vehicles parked along the building on the Cedar St side (Delta) were damaged or destroyed due to collapsing walls. The main body of fire was knocked down by approximately 14:30 although companies were remaining on the scene though the night and what remained standing of the building would need to be taken down due to the danger of collapse. No civilians or firefighters were reported injured however there are reports of at least 30 residents being displaced from the building. The cause is under investigation by the Paterson FD Arson Unit and the Passaic County Prosecutors Office.
Read MoreMultiple master streams were set up around the building including 2 ladder pipes, 2 tower ladders, numerous ground monitors, large diameter hand lines and several deck guns. All exposures were covered although several residential buildings across the street suffered some radiant heat damage. A 5th alarm was transmitted at 11:50 with co's requested to stage and await orders. At the height of the fire, the smoke condition could be scene over 30 miles away, several vehicles parked along the building on the Cedar St side (Delta) were damaged or destroyed due to collapsing walls. The main body of fire was knocked down by approximately 14:30 although companies were remaining on the scene though the night and what remained standing of the building would need to be taken down due to the danger of collapse. No civilians or firefighters were reported injured however there are reports of at least 30 residents being displaced from the building. The cause is under investigation by the Paterson FD Arson Unit and the Passaic County Prosecutors Office.
