West New York NJ 4th alarm, 5412 Madison St. 12-01-22

At approximately 14:45 on December 1st 2022, Fire Control dispatched North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue co's to 5412 Madison St in West New York for multiple calls reporting a fire. On arrival a working fire was reported in the basement of a 4 story ordinary OMD with a bodega on the 1st floor. As engine companies attacked the heavy fire in the basement, trucks and the rescue co performed ventilation, conducted searches and rescued several occupants who were at windows and on the fire escapes. A 2nd alarm brought additional co's to the scene and mutual aid for cover. A localized floor collapse dropped one firefighter into the basement and a mayday was transmitted, the firefighter was quickly removed without injuries. As conditions deteriorated, a 3rd alarm was transmitted bringing co's from Jersey City to the scene. Interior crew reported a gas fed fire in the basement and fire running the walls forcing command to withdraw all members and go defensive, a 4th alarm was also transmitted. With 1 tower ladder, one ladder, pipe 1 deck gun and several 2-1/2" hand lines operating the fire continued to burn in the basement and walls. Conditions rapidly started to deteriorate with heavy smoke pushing from the top floor and roof and fire breaking through the roof at around 21:30, by 22:00 command reported heavy fire in the cockloft and dropping into the top floor with all co's heavily engaged. Crews remained on the scene through out the night and into the next day hitting hot spots. Several firefighters were injured with non life threatening injuries and 41 families from the fire building and the Bravo exposure were left homeless. The cause of the fire is under investigation.