Belleville NJ 2nd alarm, 86 Belmont Ave. 11-28-15

An elderly Belleville NJ woman was removed from her burning home by neighbors before firefighters arrived on the evening of November 28th, 2015, 2 men on the 2nd floor also escaped unharmed. The fire located at 86 Belmont Ave was reported at around 19:30, companies arrived to find heavy fire in the rear extending to the 1st and 2nd floors of the 2 story frame home. An offensive attack was attempted but due to heavy fire conditions on the 2nd floor, a 2nd alarm was requested and command ordered all members out of the building. 2 deck guns, 1 ladder pipe and numerous exterior handlines were pressed into operation as fire broke through the roof, the fire also extended into exposure D, 84 Belmont Ave, a similar 2 story frame and into the C exposure, a 2 story garage located on the Jeraldo St. The fire which is reported to have started in a couch in the rear of the building was placed under control at just after 22:00 hours, no injuries were reported however a dog perished in the 2nd floor apartment. Mutual aid from Bloomfield and Nutley assisted at the scene while additional mutual aid companies provided station coverage.