Story and photos by Chris Tompkins
Smoke filled the sky and streets early Friday afternoon as firefighters battled a second alarm house fire right off of Main Street in Clifton, New Jersey.
Clifton firefighters were dispatched to South Parkway and Main St. for a reported structure fire just after 2 p.m.. Crews arrived on scene to find smoke showing form 287 South Parkway, a 2 1/2-story home.
Engine companies stretched an 1 3/4-inch handline though the front door to make an interior attack on the fire that started in the basement. A moderate smoke condition was showing on all floors as remaining companies arrived on scene.
Tower 2 laddered the roof and cut a vent hole while other members vented windows on the first floor. More handlines were stretched and advanced though the front door to try and get ahead of the fire, however the fire had extended into the first floor in the rear and up into the attic.
Structural Collapse Under Fire Conditions
A second alarm was transmitted when firefighters were forced to back out as evacuation tones sounded. Fire started to break though the roof in the rear as smoke started to increase on the second floor and roof area. Tower 2 was put into operation as exterior streams were set up around the house.
Heavy fire consumed the attic area as fire started to break though the roof in multiple spots. Without notice, the entire back of the house collapsed, causing firefighters to flee to safety in the backyard. Clifton Ladder 3 set up in a rear parking lot as master streams knocked down the remaining fire with most of the roof burnt away.
The fire was brought under control within two hours. Nobody was home at the time of the fire, however one firefighter suffered a shoulder injury and was transported to the hospital. The fire remains under investigation.
