Paterson NJ 5th alm, 1019 Market St. 03-16-20
The morning of Monday March 16th 2020 was a bright sunny and cool morning when just before 09:30 Paterson Fire Dispatch started receiving calls for a building fire at 1019 Market St. Responding co's from the 1st battalion could see smoke in the area while enroute and on arrival found a 2 story 50 X 100 commercial building with a 1 story set back with heavy fire on the 1st floor. A 2nd alarm was requested on arrival as co's went into an offensive attack. On arrival of Deputy 4, Chief Calamita, a 3rd alarm was requested and all member were ordered out of the building less than 15 minutes after arrival. a mayday was sounded for a member who fell through the roof, though thankfully he was quickly removed and transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
A large column of black smoke was visible for miles and traffic on Interstate 80 started backing up as rubber-neckers watched the fire which was located right off the highway. At 09:56 Chief of Dept Brian McDermott requested the 4th alarm and also to have the water co boost pressure in the area as the building became heavily involved. A total of 4 elevated streams, 2 deck guns as well as numerous hand lines and ground monitors were put into service, a collapse zone needed to be established when the roof caved in and the Alpha and Delta walls showed obvious signs of imminent collapse. At 11:10 a 5th alarm was requested for manpower and relief purposes as all co's were still heavily engaged.
At approximately 13:00 command reported all mutual aid co's released from the scene but that city co's were still going to be operating for an extended period of time awaiting demolition. No other injuries were reported and the origin and cause of the fire is under investigation.
Read MoreA large column of black smoke was visible for miles and traffic on Interstate 80 started backing up as rubber-neckers watched the fire which was located right off the highway. At 09:56 Chief of Dept Brian McDermott requested the 4th alarm and also to have the water co boost pressure in the area as the building became heavily involved. A total of 4 elevated streams, 2 deck guns as well as numerous hand lines and ground monitors were put into service, a collapse zone needed to be established when the roof caved in and the Alpha and Delta walls showed obvious signs of imminent collapse. At 11:10 a 5th alarm was requested for manpower and relief purposes as all co's were still heavily engaged.
At approximately 13:00 command reported all mutual aid co's released from the scene but that city co's were still going to be operating for an extended period of time awaiting demolition. No other injuries were reported and the origin and cause of the fire is under investigation.
