Irvington NJ 3rd alarm, 646 Nye Ave. 03-15-15

At just around 20:10 on Sunday March 16th, 2015, Irvington Fire Dept was dispatched on Nye Ave for a reported building fire, on arrival the 1st due engine reported a working fire and minutes later the deputy chief arrived and requested a 2nd alarm due to heavy fire in a large (approx. 100x150) 1 story non-combustable building occupied by a dollar store. As 2nd alarm companies were being dispatched command advised that due to the heavy fire conditions this would be strictly an exterior defensive attack and told all units to maintain a collapse zone. As the fire spread through out the building and through the roof companies were reported an ember condition which was threatening other buildings, several loud exposions occured at the height of the fire as flames rose 40-50 feet above the roof line. A 3rd alarm was struck bringing additional mutual aid companies to the fire and within 30 minutes several collapses occured of the front false facade and the exterior cinderblock walls on the A, B and D sides. Using 3 ladder pipes, 1 telesquirt and multiple hand lines and ground monitors, the main body of fire was knocked down by 23:45 and all mutual aid companies were released by 02:00 however Irvington units remained on the scene through out the nite and most of the next morning hitting hot spots and awaiting demolition of what was left of the building. 1 firefighter suffered a minor injury and was transported to the hospital, the cause is under investigation.