Garfield NJ 2nd alarm, 228 Palisades Ave. 02-26-21

At approximately 23:15 on February 26th, 2021 Garfield NJ Fire Dept. was alerted for a structure fire on Maple St. On arrival command reported a working fire in the rear of a 3 story taxpayer with wires burning and quickly requested a 2nd alarm. The fire building, 228 Palisades Ave. was located on the corner of Maple and Palisades, was a large 2.5 story frame housing a laundromat on the 1st floor and apartments on the upper floors. Heavy fire was venting out the rear on the 2nd floor as companies made a push through the interior. Due to a localized collapse on the C-D corner and with conditions deteriorating command ordered all members out of the building. With outside lines knocking down the bulk of the exterior fire, crews attempted another interior attack and appeared to be making progress, however heavy fire started breaking out in the attic as well as the 2nd floor forcing command to pull everyone out and go defensive with a ladder pipe, tower ladder and several exterior hand lines. Again after most of the visible fire was knocked down crews re-entered the building and were able to open up and start extinguishing hidden pockets of fire and the fire was placed under control at 01:50. At least one firefighter was injured when he fell down the stairs during the initial attack of the fire. Several occupants were displaced and the cause of the fire is under investigation.