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Photos and report from Ron Jeffers
A large column of smoke rose above the Heights section of Jersey City, New Jersey, when a fire erupted in the rear of an auto mechanic shop at rush hour, creating a traffic jam nightmare that was worse than the normal traffic headaches in this area.
At 5:09 p.m. on September 1, Jersey City (NJ) firefighters (FDJC) were dispatched to Box 489 for a fire reported at 3718 Kennedy Blvd., at the corner of Secaucus Rd. At the same time, a Union City police patrol unit radioed in a working fire at that corner, which borders Union City. As the FDJC units began to respond, they observed a smoke condition that was visible from a distance. Third Battalion Chief Michael Conforti radioed in a large column of smoke visible in the area and struck the working fire assignment.
The first alarm consisted of Engines 14-11-7-15, Ladders 7 and 3, Rescue 1, Battalion 3 and Deputy 1. The working fire assignment included Squad 4, Ladder 9, Battalion 1, the Mask Service Unit (MSU) and Car 30 (fire investigator).
The fire involved Tony’s General Mechanics shop, a one-story building that wraps around the adjacent two-story corner building containing Top Deli on the ground floor with apartments above. Fire Chief Steve Mc Gill later told the media that an acetylene tank was possibly leaking in the rear of the mechanic’s shop while employees were working, and it erupted. The fire extended to a vehicle and other items, as employees attempted to put the fire out.
The fire quickly extended to the two-story wood-frame structure, and a second-alarm was transmitted by B.C. Conforti, at 5:13 p.m. This assignment included Engines 22-5-9, and Ladder 2.
Firefighters were confronted with a difficult fire situation. Flames rapidly spread through the two structures. Members said there was fire behind every hole that they opened. In addition, flames were gas fed in the rear of the mechanic’s shop by a ruptured line until a Public Service crew arrived to dig up the street and cut the gas service to the building.
Deputy Chief Paul Drennan struck the third alarm at 5:20 p,m. for Engines 8-6-17, and Ladder 6.
As conditions worsened, an evacuation order was sounded removing all members from the fire buildings. Master streams and exterior hand lines were then employed. At this point, master streams included Tower Ladder 6 and Ladder 3’s ladder pipe on Kennedy Blvd. and Ladder 2’s pipe on Secaucus Rd.
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The fire scene is located at a three-town boundary where this city meets Union City and North Bergen on the north side of Kennedy Blvd. Some FDJC pumpers crossed the line to hook up to North Hudson hydrants, which have different threads, causing the need for adapters. Engine 9 took a hydrant at the corner of Sixth St. and and Kennedy Boulevard, Union City, but was unable to hook up, initially. There was a magnetic bonnet on this hydrant that could not be opened until North Hudson Regional F.D. Squad 2 (that covers the North Hudson section of this county) was special called to the scene to open it with a special wrench and assist Engine 9 getting water.
Later, a fourth alarm was sounded at 5:53 p.m., for additional water supply and manpower. This alarm included Jersey City Engines 2-19, Hoboken Engine 3 and Ladder 2, and Bayonne Engine 8 and Squad 5. Tower Ladder 4 was special called at 6:18 p.m. and set up on Secaucus Rd. Later, North Hudson’s MSU was special called to fill air bottles.
Rehab was set up on Kennedy Boulevard by the Gong Club canteen, and the city’s O.E.M. command unit sheltered some of the fire victims, that were interviewed by city officials and the media. The Red Cross was called to offer assistance. It was reported that six people were in the apartments above the deli and escaped the fire without injury.
The fire was placed under control at 8:16 p.m.
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