A stubborn fire that involved a two-and-a-half-story, wood-frame Victorian type dwelling in Passaic, New Jersey, kept city firefighters and mutual aid companies busy for several hours.
Units were dispatched to a reported fire at 229 President Street shortly before 1 p.m., with a report of several phone calls received. Battalion Chief Colavitti reported smoke coming from the eaves of the structure, followed by a “working fire.” This was followed by a second alarm.
The fire apparently started in a second-floor bedroom and extended to the attic. An interior attack commenced. It was reported that 17 people had fled from the building. Some left on their own and others were rescued by firefighters, according to Chief of Department Patrick Trentacost.
During the initial stage of firefighting operations, live-overhead power lines fell in front of the building, prompting an urgent call for the electric company. There were also some water supply issues, that included an inoperable fire hydrant.
Mutual aid companies were called to the scene above the second-alarm level. This brought in fire units from Paterson, Clifton, Wallington, East Rutherford, Rutherford, and Garfield.
As conditions worsened, all members were ordered out of the structure. Flames vented out of various upper floor windows. Exposure “B” is St. Nicholas School, which is separated by a driveway and did not experience any extension of fire. Exterior handlines and two-ladder pipes were placed into operation. Portions of the roof collapsed during the battle.
It took some two hours to contain the fire, with numerous hot spots that continued to flare up from time to time. Two firefighters were injured, according to the chief. One firefighter was injured when a piece of plaster fell on his back during a search. Another member twisted his knee. Both were treated at a local hospital.
The building is registered as a two-family home, but appeared to have been subdivided into multiple apartments, officials said. The Red Cross was on the scene to assist the displaced residents.
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