Article and photo by Ron Jeffers
Firefighters were kept busy on Good Friday battling a stubborn fire in a two-story commercial mixed occupancy structure in Fair Lawn, New Jersey.
The fire started in the basement area of a sauna and spa business that extended above sprinklers in the rafters. Eventually, fire extended into the first floor during this labor-intensive incident.
Several holes were cut in the floor to gain access to the voids created from stone saunas located in the basement of the business.
Fire later vented out of a rear display window before extinguishment could be completed.
Several customers in robes and towels were taken to awaiting EMS units as they escaped the smoke-filled spa.
Three air cascade units were used to fill bottles during the incident. Fair Lawn firefighters were assisted at the scene by mutual aid companies from Wyckoff, Elmwood Park, Saddle Brook, Paramus, and Hackensack.
