Fire News New Jersey, May 2024

Body Found at Vacant B&B Blaze

Ridgefield firefighters find a body after a vacant 125-year old B&B fire.

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2 Dead at Passaic Fire

Two people are found deceased in a Passaic apartment fire.

Trenton Rowhouse Fire Goes to 3 Alarms

Trenton crews fight a fire in an end-ofthe-row of six houses.

One Critical, 2 Fatalities in Basement Fire

Teaneck FFs find three people in basement fire ... two deceased and one in critical condition.

Chad Aaronson, John Axford, Keith Addie, Adam Alberti, Ted Aurig, Kenneth E.Badger, Dick Berry, Tommy Bilancia, Thomas Bischoff, James Bonner, Joseph Brecko, John Buttino, Bob Chester, John Clark, Alex Coulter, Carl Crossman, Damien Davis, Chris Denton, Alan Dumoff, Brian Duddy, Brett M. Dzadik, Dan Eckert, Doug Fenichel, Tom Finnegan, Joe Fortunato, Liam Glinane, Israel Goldstein, Thomas Hayden Jr., David Hernandez, Robert Halberstadt, Roman Izaryk, Erica Jacoby, Jeffrey Konya, Kevin Maloney, Robert Munson, Paul Newborn, Robert F. Newkirk, Denis Niland, Mike Nowacki, Elvin Padilla, Ed Pinkevicz, Dane Policastro, Michael Ratcliffe, Joe Repici, Paul Rodriquez, Mark Rosetti, Chris Saraceno, Robert Scollan, Dennis C. Sharpe, Steve Sperlak, Steve Skipton, Matt Spadaro, Danielle Tagerty, Tim Sullivan, Robert Tallaksen, Wayne Tasaki, Giuseppe Tartaglia, Jim Trepeos, Gregory Taylor, Ron Trout, Ken VanPelt, Kevin Umbach, Jose Vazquez, Ronnie Viola, Tom Vogel, Tom Walker, Mike Wallace, Chris Whitam, Wells P. Wilson, Gerald Wyhopen, Jr., Peter Danzo. Columnists: Bruce Johnson, John Salka, Billy Goldfeder.

Vacant B&B Destroyed by FireBody Found in Rubble

The Ridgefield Fire Department was alerted fora structure fire at Broad and Maple avenues on March 6, 2024. On arrival, companies encountered a fully involved vacant three-story frame building. The 125-year-old building, in its heyday, was a bed-and-breakfast known as the Toddle Inn. It has been vacant forseveral years. Soon after arrival a third alarm was dispatched and crews worked on exposure protection. Within 20 minutes of the alarm, almost the entire structure collapsed. All visible fire was extinguished in a little overan hour. However, crews remained on the scene through the night and the next day, during the fire investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutors Office, Ridgefield PD and Fire Prevention Bureau, a body of a male was located in the rubble. -Fire News photos by Pete Danzo

House Fire During Heavy Rain in Pennington

Firefighters from multiple MercerCounty municipalities turned out in a torrential downpourto battle a house fire in Pennington Borough on March 9, 2024. Police arrived to find the rearof the home on East Franklin Avenue engulfed in flames. One of the firstdue firefighters was injured and a call foradditional mutual aid

Brick Responds forChimney Fire

On March 15, 2024, Brick Fire companies responded to Bark Road fora chimney fire. First arriving units were met with a moderate smoke condition inside the home. The first arriving engine from Station 22 was able to knock down a small fire on the interiorof the home while Tower2305 checked the top of the chimney forany remaining fire. - Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

was transmitted. With the rain pouring down and wind howling, supply lines were established from nearby hydrants and multiple hoselines were placed in service, initially foranexteriorattack and then going interior. No residents were harmed, but one of their family dogs did not survive. - Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe

Toms RiverAssisted Living Fire

Toms RiverStations 25 and 26 were dispatched to an assisted living facility on Route 166 foran activated fire alarm on February 20, 2024. First arriving units encountered a heavy smoke condition within the structure and the assignment was upgraded to a working fire. During the investigation the source of the smoke was deemed to be from a faulty heating unit and no active fire was found. The residents were allowed to return to the building.

- Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

Atwo-alarm fire left a Wyckoff home heavily damaged on the second floorof a home on Madison Heights on February 24, 2024. Companies arrived to find heavy fire in the rear-econd floorand attic and burning through the roof. Several attack lines were put into operation as truck company vented the roof, quickly knocking down the bulk of the fire which was placed undercontrol in about an hour with no reported injuries.

- Fire News photos by Pete Danzo

Fire Starts on 2nd Floor in Wyckoff

East Dover2nd FloorHouse Fire

Toms RiverFire companies responded to a second alarm fire on Bergen Ave nue in the East Doversection of town on March 9, 2024. Crews arrived to heavy fire showing from the attic of a 1-1/2 story wood frame. Engine 2801 quickly stretched a line and, with an aggressive interiorattack, knocked down the majority of the fire. There were no civilian injuries and one minorinjury to a firefighter. - Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

Shed Fire in Seaside Heights

An early morning fire called in on November21, 2023, brought Seaside Heights and Ocean Beach crews to a well involved shed fire in the rearof a home. Crews knocked down the fire and remained on scene until the County Fire Marshal arrived.

- Fire News photo by Mark Rosetti

WaterRescue Drills

Members of the Hamilton Township, Richland and Atlantic County waterrescue teams practiced on a sunny March 3, 2024, at the Weymouth Furnace recreation area in Hamilton Township, Atlantic County. - Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Apartment Fire Leaves 2 Dead at Passaic 3-Alarmer

Two residents in an apartment were killed in a raging fire that destroyed two units and damaged several others as well as two cars in Passaic on March 3, 2024. Multiple calls were received reporting a fire with entrapment on Spruce Street , in a two-story garden apartment. While en route, crews reported a heavy smoke condition and on arrival found heavy fire venting from the rear-ground-floorapartment extending into the apartment above and two cars burning in the parking lot. Asecond alarm was requested as crews made a valiant push into the fire apartment. Athird alarm was requested as the fire extended into the attic area. As the fire was being knocked down, the engine company reported that they had located the remains of the two victims. The incident was underinvestigation.

- Fire News photos by Pete Danzo

Fire Held to Garage in Ewing Township

Afire in the attached garage of a home in Ewing Township was contained and extinguished before it could spread to the rest of the residence on March 1, 2024. Ewing firefighters from the West Trenton and Prospect Heights were dispatched to HolderDrive. Aworking fire was confirmed upon the arrival of West Trenton Chief Mike Anderson. The crews were able to quickly knock down the fire. One resident was treated on scene by Ewing EMS forminorburns to herhand. Apet lizard that had been in the garage reportedly survived, as did otherpets found elsewhere in the home.

- Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe

Carneys Point Brush and Building Fire

Firfeighters responded to a brush and building fire in Carneys Point Township recently.

- Fire News photo by P. Moore

Woodbridge Front Porch Fire Extends

Woodridge Police started receiving several calls forsmoke from a house on North Avenue. As companies arrived the entire front porch became heavily involved. Asecond alarm was transmitted bringing mutual aid to the scene. An aggressive attack on the main body of fire quickly knocked it down. However, the fire extended to the second floorand attic. The fire took just overan hourto be placed undercontrol. - Fire News photo by Peter Danzo

Egg Harbor EVCarFire

The Farmington VolunteerFire Company from Egg HarborTownship and the City of Pleasantville Fire Department responded to Church Street fora report of a vehicle fire. Firefighters arrived to find an electric vehicle (EV) engulfed in flames. The fire was extinguished by Pleasantville firefighters and the Egg HarborTownship Fire Investigators were investigateingthe cause.

- Fire News photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

Three Alarms in Trenton Row House Fire

Firefighters in the state capital fought a three-alarm blaze in a row of houses during the early morning of February 23, 2024. Trenton Fire Department crews arr ived to find heavy fire showing from both floors of an Oak Street residence, located on one end of a row of six attached homes. Crews placed hoselines in operation, and a second alarm was sounded aftera firefighterwas injured. Less than 15 minutes later, following an interiorcollapse, a third alarm was transmitted. The injured firefighterwas transported to hospital by Trenton EMS personnel. The original fire building was gutted and two adjacent homes were damaged. Local authorities were investigating the cause of the fire.

- Fire News photos by Michael Ratcliffe, Lawrence Township FD

Vacant Home Fire Leaves One Dead

Aperson died in a fire in a vacant 2-1/2 story frame dwelling on February 29, 2024. Paterson cmpanies in the 2nd Battalion arrived at the 0240 to find heavy fire on the second floor, extending into the attic with exposure problems. As crews were trying to knock down the fire and perform searches, command transmitted a second alarm. Search crews found the remains of the victim in the attic during the primary search. At 0330 command reported all visible fire knocked down. The fire was being investigated by the Passaic County Prosecutors Office, Paterson Fire Investigation Unit and Paterson Police.

- Fire News photo by Pete Danzo

Fairlawn Home Heavily Damaged

On February 24, 2024, the FairLawn Fire Department was dispatched to 5th Street formultiple calls reporting a house fire. On arrival, heavy fire was showing from the front of the home and command requested a second alarm. As soon as the heavy fire was knocked down crews

mounted and offensive interiorattack with several handlines to knock down fire on both the first and second floors. No injuries were reported. However, several pets did not make it out.

- Fire News photos by Pete Danzo

ANNOUNCEMENT

PEDRICKTOWN CHICKEN BBQ FUNDRAISER

The Pedricktown Fire Company (39 South Railroad Avenue, Pedricktown CNJ08067) will hold their Chicken BBQFundraiser on May 4, 2024. All proceeds benefit Pedricktown Fire Company Station 3.

Dinner includes 1/2 BBQ chicken, macaroni salad, baked beans, dinner roll, dixie cup ice cream and pickle spear. Price is $15 per meal.

Take out only, pickup times from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Pre-sold dinners will only be held until 4 p.m. Pick up at Pedricktown Fire Company, 39 South Railroad Avenue in Pedricktown.

For tickets please contact Phyllis Moore at 856-371-2411 (leave a message if no answer).

Payment: Credit card, Venmo or Cash

Website: www.pedricktownfirecompany.com.

3-Alarm House Fire on Grove Avenue

March 24, 2024, the Maywood Fire Department was dispatched to Grove Avenue fora reported house fire. Crews arrived to heavy smoke showing from the home. Asecond alarm was transmitted. Hackensack responded with a ladderand took the front of the home to vent the roof. Heavy fire began to show from the attic and a third alarm was transmitted. Mutual aid from Saddle Brook, Lodi, Paramus, Rochelle Park, Hackensack, and RiverEdge responded to the scene to assist bringing the fire undercontrol.

- Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

One Critical, 2 Dead at Teaneck Blaze

Two people were killed and one critically burned during a fire in Teaneck on February 19, 2024. The Teaneck Fire Department responded to reports of a fire on Palisades Avenue with people trapped. On arrival, companies encountered a working fire in a basement apartment and transmitted a second alarm. Three victims were quickly located and removed to EMS. With companies heavily engaged, command requested a third alarm. The fire, which was quickly knocked down, was placed undercontrol in 30 minutes. Two of the victims were pronounced DOAat the hospital and the third was transferred to St. Barnabas burn unit in very critical condition. The fire was under investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutors Arson Squad, Teaneck Fire Prevention Bureau and Teaneck Police. - Fire News photos by Pete Danzo

Interstate 80 CarFire Blocks Traffic

Recently the Budd Lake Fire Department responded to a report of a carfire on Interstate 80 west around at MM 24. Car50 and Engine 59 along with Tender57 responded and found a well involved SUVon the side of the highway. Crews stretched theirbumperline on the fire and knocked the fire down along with a small brush fire. There were no injuries and the highway was back to normal within a half hour.

- Fire News photos by Kevin J. Maloney

Up Close & Personal

-

News

Atlantic County WaterRescue Chief Glenn Hausman giving a critique following a drill at Weymouth Furnace on March 3, 2024. The last two drownings in the county were at this location, a popularrecreation area.

Fire

photo by Dennis C. Sharpe

FIRE & SAFETYSERVICES IS HITTINGTHE ROAD IN 2024!

The 2024 F&SS Road Rally will bring the show TO customers, providing a customer-centric and region-centric focus on apparatus that best represents the conditions those regions have. The three micro-shows across the state will create a more interactive and dynamic setting for customers and people exploring apparatus options across Fire & Safety Services’brands.

“We are excited by this new opportunity to provide the emergency services in New Jersey geared just for them. As we celebrate our 60th Anniversary in 2024, it just felt natural that this was the time to do something innovative while continuing our support of all segments of first responders,” said David Russell, President of Fire & Safety Services.

The first stop for the 2024 Road Rally will be in southern New Jersey on Thursday, May 30th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (1700 to 2000) at the Burlington Township Fire Department, located at 31601 Burlington Bypass Burlington NJ, 08016.

Learn more and RSVPfor May 30th at f-ss.com. You can also keep up with Road Rally updates on Fire & Safety Services’social media platforms.

WOMEN’S WEEKEND ATTHE NATIONALFIRE ACADEMY

June 15-16, 2024

The U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA), in partnership with Women in Fire, is pleased to announce the dates for our 2024 session in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Please place June 15-16, 2024, on your calendars and join us!

The below classes are FREE of charge, and ALLare welcome to attend. You do not need to be a certified or uniformed member of a fire or EMS agency; you need to be with a fire, EMS, or allied organization, and meet the class participant requirements for t he class you wish to attend.

- Building Organizational Support for Community Risk Reduction (W0636)

- Building Resilience in Leadership: Strategies for Growth and Confidence (W0952)

- Command and Control for Company-Level Operations (W0296)

- Command and Control of Wildland Urban Interface Fire Operations for the Structural Chief Officer (W0612)

- Fire Investigation: Fire as a Weapon (W0756)

- Fire Investigation: First Responders (W0770)

- Incident Safety Officer (W0729)

- Initial Response to Terrorism: Basic Concepts (W0443)

- Leadership in Supervision: Creating Environments for Professional Growth (W0646)

- Leadership in Supervision: Perspectives in Thinking (W0647)

- Supervising Emergency Medical Services (W0146)

- Youth Firesetting Intervention Specialist (W0633)

We are accepting online applications NOW https://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfa/programs/national-weekend.html

Please take a look at the above webpage for more details!

Eastampton Fire Rescue Extrication

Drills

On February 26, 2024, members of the Eastampton Fire Rescue, performed extrication drills. The drill allowed youngermembers and seniormembers to refresh skills and share tips and tricks of the trade.

- Fire News photos by Eugene Oberfrank, EMT/Fire Chief

CarFire at Route 37EB in Toms River

Toms RiverEngine 2671 and Squad 2561 handled a single vehicle fire at the intersection on Route 37 EB.

- Fire News photos by Mark Rosetti

MOTLEY CREW

Independent Hose Company Engine 4, along with the three Dumont fire chiefs, before responding to a three-alarm structure fire on Oradell Avenue. The picture was taken moments before the company went back into service.

- Fire News photo by Chris ‘Doc’Denton

Obituary LODD - South Bound Brook’s Deputy

Chief Craig Konkle

On March 23, 2024, Deputy Chief Craig Konkle of the South Bound Brook Fire Department, answered his last alarm.

He responded to the scene of an MVAand assisted at the crash site until the vehicle was removed and then returned home. At around 1400 the same day, he suffered a medical emergency. First responders were immediately called and he was rushed to the local hospital where he was pronounced deceased from an apparent heart attack. He was a 17-year volunteer member and was 54 years old.

- Submitted by the U.S. Fire Administration

Looking Back

From Rescue to Dive Team and Now forSale

Originally built and served as Rescue One in Fairlawn afterits careerin Fairlawn it was acquired by Point Pleasant and used fortheirdive team. It was recently taken out of service and is now up forsale.

- Fire News photo by Chris ‘Doc’Denton

Still Going Strong Since 1979

A1979 GMC cab and chassis with a Salisbury body, was built and originally served the ClosterVolunteerAmbulance and Rescue Squad. This vehicle’s call sign was 728. It was reportedly sold to a fire department just overthe US/Canadian borderwhere it served many years. In 2008-2009 it was completely refurbed with another commercial cab and chassis.

- Fire News photo by Chris ‘Doc’Denton