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By Ron Jeffers
High winds didn’t help North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue (NJ) units and mutual aid firefighters as flames were fanned by a March 2 Nor’ easter during a fire in a three-story occupied multiple dwelling at 1200-26th St. in North Bergen.
Shortly before noon, firefighters were dispatched to the building for a reported fire. As the company approached the scene, the captain of North Hudson Engine 4 radioed in that there was smoke showing from Kennedy Boulevard.
Fire on the second floor spread fast and extended to the third floor. All occupants of the building were reported as having evacuated to safety. A second alarm was quickly transmitted, followed by a third alarm.
Firefighters made an interior attack and knocked down fire on the second-floor, but flames were already above them on the third floor. Soon, the roof was involved. Firefighters were ordered out of the building for a defensive attack. Later, fire consumed the roof, which collapsed into the top floor.
Fourth and fifth alarms were sounded, bringing in additional firefighters from Jersey City, Hoboken, and Kearny to the scene. Low-banking smoke covered the area, and alarms of fire were being called in east of the fire scene where the smoke was traveling. Smoke also covered the Kennedy Boulevard side of Union City, one block away, prompting the high school to be evacuated along the Summit Avenue exits.
The heavy smoke, visible for miles, was again followed by huge flames as strong wind gusts help fan the fire.
“Winds fueled the fire,” said North Hudson Chief of Department Frank Montagne. “This was an inferno.”
Firefighters used numerous handlines streams to quell flames, and most of the fire was reported knocked down at 1:22 p.m.
One firefighter was taken to Palisades Medical Center to be treated for a “minor burn” injury. In addition, the Red Cross was on hand to assist the dozens of displaced families.
The Jersey City Gong Club canteen truck was on hand to furnish weary firefighters with hot soup, water, and other refreshments as the storm continued and firefighters conducted overhaul operations.
Chief Montagne also added to the media, referring to the soot covered firefighters, “They really put their heart and soul to put out this fire.”
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