By Tom Carmody
On the cold morning of January 17, 2007, the Paterson Fire Department (NJ) responded to 357 Summer Street for a building fire. On arrival, companies reported a working fire in a four-story Class 3 building with commercial occupancies on the first floor and apartments above. As truck crews performed search and rescue operations, engine companies stretched lines to attack the fire. Crews faced an advanced fire that began in the basement below a laundromat. An additional alarm was requested for more staffing. Approximately 45 minutes after the arrival of the first companies, command reported to dispatch that, because of large amounts of stock in the basement area, crews were unable to get to the seat of the fire and that it was removing all firefighters and it was switching to a defensive operation. A third alarm was also struck at this time.
As crews poured water into the structure, they were still unable to make any headway with the fire in the basement. Firefighters were forced to cut a hole on the first floor and drop a large line in an attempt to flood the basement. Command also reported that it believed natural gas was fueling the basement fire; the gas company was called immediately. The fire eventually spread upward and was extinguished by master streams. Extensive overhaul would be needed to extinguish all hidden pockets of fire. Companies from Paterson, Elmwood Park, Clifton and Passaic–a total of 20 units–were needed to bring the fire under control.
Lessons Learned
- Good communication between city services is essential. At the start of the fire, temperatures were in the teens and freezing water quickly became a problem. Crews from the department of public works sanded the area in an attempt to provide better footing for firefighters; city buses transported displaced residents from the fire scene to the nearby Integrity Masonic Temple.
- Crew rotation is a must to keep firefighters hydrated, rested and warm. A canteen truck responded to aid the fight.
- Good communications between interior companies and command is a must. As commanders realized that firefighters had been fighting this fire for some time and were making little headway in the basement, all firefighters were withdrawn and master streams were set up.
- Firefighters must always be aware of icy surfaces, whether they are sidewalks, roofs or ladders. Despite their best efforts, two firefighters received minor injuries as a result of slipping.
