Passaic NJ 12th alarm, 101 7th Ave. 01-29-21

At just after 23:30 on a very frigid January 30th, 2021, Passaic NJ firefighters responded to 101 7th Ave, Atlantic Coast Fibers, for a reported fire. The approximately 350 x 300 building housed a recycling company and was the scene of numerous fires in the past. Heavy smoke was showing from the building as companies arrived and a 2nd alarm was requested. Several 2-1/2" hand lines were stretched into the building were large bales of cardboard were burning. As the fire continued to grow a 3rd alarm was sounded. conditions deteriorated and as companies experienced water pressure issues all members were ordered to evacuate the building. The fire rapidly spread throughout the building which became fully involved. Additional alarms were sounded bringing mutual aid co's from over 25 towns in 5 counties as well as a tanker task force and one of the states Neptune High Volume Water System, however due to a malfunction the Neptune System could not be utilized. The fire burned through out the night, into the next day and into the next night as companies continued working to extinguish the fire in bitter temperatures. As of this writing, 3 days later, companies remained on the scene as heavy equipment pulled apart the debris exposing deep seated pockets of fire. No civilians were injured however several firefighters suffered minor injuries, mostly due to slips and falls. The fire is under investigation.