ORANGE, NJ - No one was reported injured in a multiple-alarm fire that struck an 82 unit apartment building at 431 Park Ave. in Orange, but upwards of 150 residents were left at least temporarily homeless on May 3rd.

Heavy fire was venting out of the end of a large three-story “U” shaped OMD as first due units arrived before 1:00 A.M. Additional alarms were transmitted. The flames involved multiple apartments and after an attempted interior attack, members were withdrawn so deck guns could knock down the heavy fire. One deck gun, one ladder pipe, and several handlines worked from the outside.

Flames broke through the roof as additional mutual aid arrived and more lines were stretched to the rear in the inside of the “U”. The flames soon involved six to eight apartments and threatened to extend down the Park Ave. side of the building.

Once the heavy interior fire was subdued, several lines were advanced through the rear to the third floor. Members were withdrawn a second time as the blaze once again intensified. Orange and Newark truck companies opened up their ladder pipes as others stood ready. Companies eventually were able to re-enter to reach the fire and open up.

As dawn began to break, the fire was placed under control with some mutual aid being released. Companies remained on the scene as residents from apartments that were undamaged were allowed in to retrieve necessities. Investigators were on the scene to try to determine the cause.