Passaic NJ 11 alarms, 2 Canal St. 01-14-22
A major fire destroyed a large factory/warehouse and pressed firefighters to the limit in Passaic NJ on January 14th, 2022. Companies initially dispatched to a car fire on Rt. 21 just before 20:30 quickly realized they had more than a car fire when they reported a large column of smoke while enroute, dispatch also advised that they were receiving multiple calls of a building fire on Passaic St.
On arrival companies confirmed the address as 2 Canal St and reported heavy fire in a large factory approximately 250’ x 325’, a 2nd alarm was requested on arrival, quickly followed by a 3rd alarm. With a heavy fire condition through the roof and spreading rapidly exterior lines were put into operation as master streams were being set up. Access to the property was limited and Rt.21 was shut down so that aerial streams could be set up on the highway which ran adjacent to the fire building. Additional alarms were requested bringing numerous mutual aid companies to the scene and the Passaic Valley Water Commission was requested to boost pressure as much as possible. The main exposure was a large warehouse that housed a pool supply company and stored a large quantity of chlorine, crews were successful in protecting this building. A total of 11 alarms were transmitted bringing over 200 firefighters from 6 counties to the scene. The fire was placed under control by Chief Trentacost approximately 12 hours later.
At the height of the fire flames rose almost 100’ above the building and the tremendous smoke condition was visible for miles, it is even reported to have been visible on radar. Large embers rained down on neighborhoods southeast of the fire but no additional fires were reported. At least 12 firefighters were reported injured mainly due to slips and falls however only one was transported to the hospital with minor injuries and later released. Several fire boats were dispatched as the back half of the building fronted the Passaic River but they were unable to be utilized and fuel trucks were brought into the scene to re-fuel apparatus as they began to run low on fuel.
Companies remained on the scene through the next day and into Sunday with companies from the surrounding area being rotated while continuing to wet down the remains of the building and firefighting operations were ceased on Sunday morning and all companies finally picked up from the scene.
The Passaic County Haz-Mat team and health department responded due to the fear of chemical runoff and in the smoke however air quality was deemed within limits and only a small quantity of chemicals burned in the fire.
Read MoreOn arrival companies confirmed the address as 2 Canal St and reported heavy fire in a large factory approximately 250’ x 325’, a 2nd alarm was requested on arrival, quickly followed by a 3rd alarm. With a heavy fire condition through the roof and spreading rapidly exterior lines were put into operation as master streams were being set up. Access to the property was limited and Rt.21 was shut down so that aerial streams could be set up on the highway which ran adjacent to the fire building. Additional alarms were requested bringing numerous mutual aid companies to the scene and the Passaic Valley Water Commission was requested to boost pressure as much as possible. The main exposure was a large warehouse that housed a pool supply company and stored a large quantity of chlorine, crews were successful in protecting this building. A total of 11 alarms were transmitted bringing over 200 firefighters from 6 counties to the scene. The fire was placed under control by Chief Trentacost approximately 12 hours later.
At the height of the fire flames rose almost 100’ above the building and the tremendous smoke condition was visible for miles, it is even reported to have been visible on radar. Large embers rained down on neighborhoods southeast of the fire but no additional fires were reported. At least 12 firefighters were reported injured mainly due to slips and falls however only one was transported to the hospital with minor injuries and later released. Several fire boats were dispatched as the back half of the building fronted the Passaic River but they were unable to be utilized and fuel trucks were brought into the scene to re-fuel apparatus as they began to run low on fuel.
Companies remained on the scene through the next day and into Sunday with companies from the surrounding area being rotated while continuing to wet down the remains of the building and firefighting operations were ceased on Sunday morning and all companies finally picked up from the scene.
The Passaic County Haz-Mat team and health department responded due to the fear of chemical runoff and in the smoke however air quality was deemed within limits and only a small quantity of chemicals burned in the fire.
