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| By Ron Johnson |
| A Passaic firefighter aims a stream through a cutout in the overhead door on the "charlie" side. |
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| By Ron Johnson |
| Engines 2 and 3 stretch lines and supply Truck 2. |
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| By Ron Johnson |
| This was on everyone's mind! |
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| By Ron Johnson |
| Railroad personnel hoist an overhead door to gain access. |
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| By Ron Johnson |
| Passaic Truck 2 extends its ladder to a horizontal position, applying a master stream into the opened bay door. |
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| By Ron Johnson |
| Master streams let loose on sizzling-hot railroad cars. |
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| By Ron Johnson |
| Department Chief T. Nicholas Zayatz discusses attack strategies with his Deputy Chief Jose Roman as a F.A.S.T. assignment from Carlstadt stands by. |
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| By Ron Johnson |
| Crew from Paterson's Ladder 2 cut an access porthole on the "alpha" side to assist with a ladder pipe operation alongside Passaic Truck 1. |
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PASSAIC, NJ - A pre-dawn blaze became an arduous task for Passaic's bravest on April 4. Shortly before 6 a.m., companies were dispatched for a report of heavy smoke from a railroad transfer facility at 95 Passaic Street.
While en route, the incident commander ordered the companies to remain outside the structure until an assessment could be made.
Upon arrival, the first-due units confronted the first of many obstacles. The access doors to the tall, single-story, steel-walled structure were heavily locked as were the huge overhead doors at the rear of the structure.
As engine companies set up supply lines, Ladder 2 attempted to gain access to the steel giant. Command requested the city's remaing engine and truck to the scene and mutual aid was requested; bringing the incident to a second alarm equivalent (general alarm for the city).
Companies used demolition saws to cut several access ports and began an aggressive exterior attack. Railroad personnel at the scene commandeered a large bucket loader, and by using chains, were able to lift an overhead door, allowing some of the heat and smoke to ventilate.
As exterior master streams knocked down much of the fire on the interior, crews were able to enter the structure for their offensive attack. The dense smoke and heat was so intense that at one point, one of the upper steel walls actually glowed red against the early-morning sky.
Once inside, crews were faced with burning railway cars laden with garbage and refuse stored at the facility. It took crews several hours to finally bring the blaze under control and overhaul was labor intensive.
A firefighter was reported to have sustained minor injuries.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined and is under investigation with the assistance of the Passaic County Prosecuter's Office.
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