Article and photo by Ron Jeffers
A fire consumed the upper floor of a two-story U.S. Post Office in Carlstadt, New Jersey, that is named for a late volunteer firefighter who was killed in Iraq.
Shortly after 1:30 a.m. on April 24, volunteer firefighters were toned out for a report of heavy smoke coming from the roof of the Post Office, on First Street, named after Firefighter Michael Schwartz, of Engine Co. 2. Police arrived to confirm heavy smoke from the roof area. The first-due chief reported a working fire which was later followed by a second-alarm bringing in mutual aid from South Bergen and Passaic county fire departments.
Members began an interior attack, but as the fire consumed the roof and dropped to the top-floor, conditions began to rapidly deteriorate and firefighters were ordered out of the structure. A defensive attack was established, which included tower ladders and a deck gun.
The main body of fire was knocked down within two hours, as large-diameter hose lines covered neighborhood streets. Mutual aid units that operated at the scene included companies from Wood-Ridge, Moonachie, Hasbrouck Heights, Rutherford, East Rutherford, Little Ferry, and Passaic.
See more photos from this incident HERE.
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