PASSAIC, N. J.�Firefighter Alberto Tirado, 40, died and another firefighter was critically injured in a fire in a three-family building on Market Street. The firefighters were on the top floor. The roof collapsed. Tirado was dead when firefighters reached him.
The fire broke out around 8:30 p.m. and was brought under control by 12:30 a.m. The cause of the fire, which broke out on the second floor, is not immediately known.
Firefighters had sounded a Mayday, indicating that they were trapped in the rear of the third floor and that a firefighter was running out of air. They reported heavy fire and requested water and the rapid intervention team.
The house became fully involved from the second floor up. All companies were removed from the building. Firefighters then mounted an exterior attack only. (Sources: AP; The Record, Elise Young & Justo Bautista, May 10, 2001)
