NEWARK WAREHOUSE BURNS IN 3RD ALARM

Photo by ED GRAY

Photo by ED GRAY

Photo by ED GRAY

Photo by ED GRAY

Photo by ED GRAY

Photo by ED GRAY
A spectacular three alarm + fire gutted a large former chemical warehouse at 104 Lister Avenue in Newark on April 9th.
The blaze started just before 1:00 PM in the two story brick building that housed an auto export business on one side, and flammable gas and other chemicals on the other. The twenty one employees reported to be working at the time all safely evacuated. The building was well involved with explosions occurring on arrival of fire units and operations immediately went defensive. All engine companies were ordered to bring in water. A Regional Marine Strike Force was requested bringing boats from North Hudson Regional, Bayonne, and others up the Hackensack River for additional water supply. A Jersey City FD Task Force responded directly to the scene.
A third alarm was sounded bringing Elizabeth FD with an engine and truck to the scene and additional mutual aid to cover firehouses. Newark had seven elevated master streams in operation along with several deck guns. Collapse zones were set up as the roof came in and multiple smaller collapses occurred. Haz-Mat monitored air quality.
By 2:00 the intensity of the smoke and fire diminished. Companies continued to establish additional water supplies from blocks away. There were no reported injuries and the cause is being investigated.