A IHOP restaurant on Route 17 south in Hasbrouck Heights was gutted by a multi alarm fire on the morning of August 3rd. At around 7m Firefighter's were dispatched to 111 Rt 17 Nouth on a reported fire in the IHOP. Ass't Chief Gonzalez arrived and reported heavy smoke issuing from the building. Chief of dept. Rob Knobloch arrived assumed command and quickly struck a second alarm.

An interior attack was initiated but conditions worsened rapidly. An evacuation of the fire build was made as heavy fire vented through the roof. An exterior operation involving outside master streams from Hasbrouck Heights Ladder 1, Wood- Ridge Truck 903, Hackensack Ladder 1 and Saddle Brook 's tower Ladder. operated to knock down the heavy fire. At the height of the blaze rt 17 south was completely shut down for firefighting operations.

Mutual aid from Hackensack. Wood Ridge. Carlstadt, Moonachie, Saddle Brook, Wallington and Little Ferry assisted on the scene while companies from South Hackensack, Lodi and Ridgefield Park covered at fire Headquarters. An injury to one firefighter was reported. A few employees who were setting up for the day got out safely. The fire is under investigation by the Hasbrouck Heights fire official