Passaic NJ 5th alarm, 37 Columbia Ave. 05-03-15

On Sunday May 3rd, 2015 Passaic NJ Fire Dept responded to a 5 alarm fire which left approximately 80 people displaced. The fire which was reported at just before 21:30 was located only a couple blocks from the east side firehouse and companies arrived on the scene within minutes to find heavy fire involving a 2-1/2 story frame church and a 3 story frame OMD. BC Szczygiel transmitted the 2nd and 3rd alarms immediately upon arrival and requested companies to bring in water, although an interior attack was attempted, all members were ordered out of the buildings 5 minutes after arrival. With fire spreading to 2 one story garages in the rear and other homes severely threatened a 4th alarm was sounded and a request was made to the Passaic Valley Water Dept to boost pressure as 2 tower ladders, 2 ladder pipes, 1 deck gun along with multiple hand lines and ground monitors were put into operation. With the exposures covered, companies started making some progress darkening down the main body of fire a 5th alarm was transmitted for manpower. At around 23:40 the bulk of the fire was knocked down and some of the mutual aid companies were released but pockets of fire continued to flare up in the church and parts of the 3 story OMD, the fire was placed under control just after 01:30 but companies remained on the scene through out the night and into the next day, no injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.