In the early hours of March 2, 2017, the Passaic Fire Department responded to a reported building fire on Gregory Avenue in a large four-story, occupied multi-family. Battalion 3, Chief Chris Szczygiel, arrived to heavy fire showing from several windows on the first floor alpha side with reports of people trapped. A third alarm was requested as lines were stretched and searches conducted. Fire extended to the second floor and E-3 reported a bad hydrant. Command requested mutual aid from Wallington to secure a water source from another hydrant. Conditions appeared to be deteriorating and with companies still not hitting the seat of the fire, command called for an evacuation and switched to a brief exterior attack, after which companies re-entered. Four lines were stretched and crews discovered that the fire was running the walls, up to the third and fourth floors. A fourth alarm was requested and trucks were sent to the roof to open up. The fire was eventually brought under control. Hackensack’s tiller was on loan to Passaic and riding as Ladder 1 due to that company’s truck being out of service.
– Fire News photos by Peter Danzo
