A overnight fire destroyed a Garfield home in the early morning hours of January 30th. At 12:09am companies were dispatched to 27 Hartman st. As first due chiefs arrived a fire on the 2nd floor was discovered in the bathroom. A working fire was transmitted bringing a full general alarm response plus mutual aid units from Saddle Brook and Wallington to the scene. The fire quickly extended to the upper floor through the walls and conditions worsened very quickly. Companies started to report several frozen hydrants a call for additional engines from Elmwood Park, Lodi and Rochelle Park were brought to the scene. With Heavy fire on the second floor and attic Passaic Truck 1 tower ladder and Garfield Truck 4's ladder pipe went into operation once additional water supplies were established along with numerous outside handlines Heavy fire vented through the roof and out several windows at the blaze's height.

No serious injuries were immediately reported, although icy conditions produced several slip-and-falls. Garfield DPW salt trucks were brought in the salt fire fireground.

Mutual aid cover companies in city firehouses came from Fair Lawn, Paramus, Maywood, Paterson, and Clifton. County Wide Emergency Services tended to the responders for rehab and the Company 5 firehouse just around the corner from the scene was opened to firefighters to warm up as the outside temperatures were at the single digits. A faulty bathroom vent fan was suspected, although the cause is still officially under investigation.