At just around 02:30 on February 7, 2015, firefighters from the Lodi (NJ) Fire Department responded to 36 Columbia Ave for a reported outside fire in the rear of the building.
On arrival, police department units reported a working house fire with heavy fire in the rear. Upon arrival of the first chief, a second alarm was requested; he reported heavy fire on all floors and breaking through the roof in the rear.
An interior attack was attempted but water problems and a well-advanced fire eventually forced command to evacuate the building and go to a defensive attack. Due to the water supply problems, companies tapped into five different fire hydrants in order to supply adequate water for two ladder pipes, one deck gun, and numerous handlines.
About 1 1/2 hours into the fire, a major collapse of the roof and side B wall required a collapse zone to be set up around the building. Firefighters were able to successfully keep the fire from extending into the exposures, but the original building was a total loss. The fire was placed under control at around 05:30.
One firefighter and one occupant were transported to the hospital with minor injuries and the cause of the fire was determined to be accidental. Firefighters from Garfield, Hasbrouck Heights, Wallington, Hackensack, Maywood, Saddle Brook, and Rochelle Park assisted at the scene.
See more photos from this incident HERE.
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