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| The front fire escape of the wood-frame dwelling separated from the structure during the fire and a collapse zone was established. |
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UNION CITY, NJ - Flames raced up the walls and into the cockloft of a three-story wood-frame dwelling on March 10th, sending residents fleeing and injuring several firefighters.
A full assignment was dispatched to 510-40th Street at 9:19 a.m. and, when North Hudson Engine Co. 5 arrived, Captain Mark Masterson reported smoke and fire showing. A working fire assignment was then sent, followed by a second-alarm when 2nd Battalion Chief Robert Duane arrived.
By that time, visible flames were racing up the front wall on the second and third floors.
Firefighters were hampered setting up an aerial ladder on the narrow street due to overhead power lines. Ladder 2 was carefully positioned for an aerial to be raised. Ground ladders were also set up as the fire escape separated from the front wall of the building on both the second and third floors.
As handlines were advanced, a third-alarm was transmitted for additional manpower. This assignment also brought Jersey City Engine 5, Ladder 11, and Battalion 3 to the scene.
The stubborn fire rolled along the cockloft, as truckmen opened up. Walls and ceiling were also subject to hooks.
Residents watched their building burn, and one woman held on to Mayor Brian Stack for comfort. In all, twelve families were displaced.
“Most of them lost everything.” said Claudio Perez, director of the Red Cross' Northern New Jersey chapter.
The mayor's aides brought numerous containers of hot chocolate, donuts and bottled water to the command post, and the Fire Department RAC bus was on the scene.
Two firefighters were transported to the Hoboken University Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries, and others were treated at the scene by city EMTs.
The fire was declared under control by Deputy Chief Frank Montagne at 11:00 a.m. The blaze likely started on the roof of the porch on the first floor and climbed up the front wall to the upper floors and was probably caused by an electrical problem with the ceiling light on the porch, officials said.
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