01-26-09 - Paterson General Alarm - 249 & 251 5th Ave

On Monday, January 26th 2009 at approximately 2300hrs the Paterson NJ Fire Department responded to 249 & 251 5th Ave near East 17th St for a reported fire. Companies arrived to find a gas fed basement fire quickly extending up the walls. Companies were quickly withdrawn from the building and an exterior attack was established. <p> A 2nd alarm was subsequently requested as fire began to take over the upper floors and eventually the entire cockloft. As crews attacked any visible fire with a myriad of 2.5” exterior hand lines, a 3rd alarm and mutual aid was requested. Approximately 20 residents were replaced and there were no reported injuries. Cold temperatures, icing conditions, and limited access to the building made confinement more difficult.