On June 14, at 6:55 p.m., the Lodi Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the area of 286 Union Street for a reported apartment fire. At the same time, a second call came in for reported heavy black smoke in the back yard of a home at 79 Lawrence Ave.  Assistant Chief Garzon arrived on scene confirming both calls were related with the correct location at 286 Union Street with an apartment/garage in the back of the home with heavy smoke showing. He then notified fire comm. of a working fire. Upgrading the assignment brought mutual aid from Wallington, Hasbrouck Heights, Rochelle Park and Garfield to the scene. 

 

Engine 615 arrived shortly after and stretched a 1 3/4 attack line to the rear while other members stretched a 3-inch line with a gated Y valve and a 2.5 with a gated Y valve to use high rise packs as the stretch was down a long driveway to the fire. Engine 612 assisted with getting more lines into operation with additional high-rise packs. 

 

Conditions deteriorated as companies were evacuated from the building and heavy fire vented through the roof. Handlines were withdrawn and went into operation from the outside.  A major fireground issue had to be addressed as the home had an inground pool that was open thus causing very little area to operate on the scene.  

 

While this was going on, a firefighter from a mutual aid town was rescued out a window by Lodi FD  members via ground ladder. The firefighter was transported to the hospital.  Firefighters once again had to withdraw from the structure due to fire conditions. When the heavy fire was knocked down, companies re-entered the building to fully knock down the remaining fire and start overhaul operations. 

 

Crews operated on scene for about three hours before the fire was declared under control by orders of Chief of Dept. Minnella.  Mutual aid from Wood-Ridge, Maywood and Saddle Brook covered at fire headquarters. Also assisting on scene was Bergen County EMS and County Wide Rehab Unit. The fire is currently under investigation by Lodi Fire Prevention Bureau.