THE PATERSON ARMORY FIRE
On November the 10th 2015, a fire that anyone who served on the Paterson Fire Department dreaded and somehow knew would inevitably happened...........HAPPENED........
THE PATERSON ARMORY BURNED
The 120 year old vacant Armory is a city block long and measures 200' by 300', with a basement that is 25 ft below ground. The building is basically mill construction, with a masonry exterior, heavy timber interior and a wood truss roof. The interior and basement are a wide open voids.....A formula for extreme danger to firefighters who would challenge a fire in this building.
But challenge it they did, by boldly advancing lines into the basement while Truck Companies worked on opening windows and doors that were covered with steel bars and grating. Pretty much an impossible task, soon the "Artillery" would have to come to bear....Tower Ladders and Ladder pipes were set up and the previous opening up by the Truckies was not in vain, as it provided access to deliver water to the fire.
It was always thought a fire there would be like the many spectacular Mill Fires Paterson is known for, but the PFD hung tough and after a 15 hour battle the PFD prevailed, much of the structure remained intact.
THE PATERSON ARMORY BURNED
The 120 year old vacant Armory is a city block long and measures 200' by 300', with a basement that is 25 ft below ground. The building is basically mill construction, with a masonry exterior, heavy timber interior and a wood truss roof. The interior and basement are a wide open voids.....A formula for extreme danger to firefighters who would challenge a fire in this building.
But challenge it they did, by boldly advancing lines into the basement while Truck Companies worked on opening windows and doors that were covered with steel bars and grating. Pretty much an impossible task, soon the "Artillery" would have to come to bear....Tower Ladders and Ladder pipes were set up and the previous opening up by the Truckies was not in vain, as it provided access to deliver water to the fire.
It was always thought a fire there would be like the many spectacular Mill Fires Paterson is known for, but the PFD hung tough and after a 15 hour battle the PFD prevailed, much of the structure remained intact.
Newspaper report: Firefighters battled the seven-alarm fire in the basement of the city-owned armory for more than seven hours after it was reported. The blaze was reported around 11 p.m. and firefighters continue to pour about 10,000 gallons of water per minute into the massive building, Fire Chief Michael Postorino said. Several schools in the area were closed the next day due to the blaze: Eastside High School, School 11, School 15, Roberto Clemente, New Roberto Clemente and Madison Early Learning.
The fire was in the armory's basement, which is about 25 feet deep, and burned through the floors, he said. Firefighters originally attacked the blaze from the inside of the building but evacuated after it was deemed unsafe. One firefighter was taken to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center with a back injury. The building, which is made of brick and heavy timber, is 300 feet by 200 feet and 30 feet high with a 25-foot basemen. "We can't get to it," Chief Postorino said. "You deluge it with water, hope at some point the water overtakes the fire."
About 100 firefighters from across North Jersey responded. Firefighters from Paterson, Clifton, Passaic, Little Falls, Haledon and Wayne are among the responding departments. Firefighters are manning hoses from the ground and on top of ladders to shoot water through the roof and open windows and doors.
The fire was in the armory's basement, which is about 25 feet deep, and burned through the floors, he said. Firefighters originally attacked the blaze from the inside of the building but evacuated after it was deemed unsafe. One firefighter was taken to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center with a back injury. The building, which is made of brick and heavy timber, is 300 feet by 200 feet and 30 feet high with a 25-foot basemen. "We can't get to it," Chief Postorino said. "You deluge it with water, hope at some point the water overtakes the fire."
About 100 firefighters from across North Jersey responded. Firefighters from Paterson, Clifton, Passaic, Little Falls, Haledon and Wayne are among the responding departments. Firefighters are manning hoses from the ground and on top of ladders to shoot water through the roof and open windows and doors.
Marty Pelta photo
Marty Pelta photo
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Bill Tompkins Photo
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Chris Tompkins Photo
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Thanks to Ron Bombaro for sharing many photos below
Paterson NJ firefighters had their hands full on the night of November 9th 2015 when they were dispatched to the area of Market St & Rosa Parks Blvd for a possible building fire at just around 23:00 hours. Upon arrival, E-1 reported smoke in the area of the abandoned armory at 465 Market St. The armory which was built in 1895 covered an entire city block and measured 200' X 300' was 3-4 stories in height and was type 4, mill construction, it was abandoned in 1990.
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As companies investigated the battalion chief arrived and reported what appeared to be a glow from the center roof area of the building and after further investigation confirmed a working fire. As co's forced entry and searched for the seat of the fire, command requested a 2nd alarm with companies to stage. The fire was located in the basement and a very aggressive interior attack was started, several times it appeared that the main body of fire was located but due to the size of the building, the height of the ceilings in the basement (reported to be 20+ Ft) and the heavy smoke condition, conditions slowly deteriorated. |
A 3rd alarm was requested and additional lines were stretched into the building, truck co's worked on ventilation and as more areas were opened up, the smoke became heavy and more intense. Interior companies reported fire breaking through the 1st floor and it appeared the only way to get ahead of it was to open the floor above.
Deputy 1 requested a 4th alarm and had all truck co's set up around the building in preparation for a defensive attack. With conditions continuing to deteriorate and reports of fire possibly on the 2nd floor, all members were ordered out of the building. 5 elevated master streams were put into operation as heavy smoke was pushing from the entire top of the roof and out the front (Market St side of the building). At times the smoke would appear to subside only to start pushing from the building several minutes later. As time went on, command requested the 5th, 6th and finally 7th alarms transmitted and an additional ladder pipe was put into operation as companies continued to pump water into the structure in an attempt to get to the seat of the fire however due to the size, age, construction and condition of the building the fire apparently made its way through voids and at approximately 06:00, 7 hours after the arrival of the 1st companies, fire started venting out of the roof in several locations.
After a couple more hours of firefighting all visible fire was knocked down although it was obvious that the fire was still deep seated and at approximately 12:45 (over 12 hours from initial dispatch) command started to release mutual aid companies from the scene but advised it would continue to be a prolonged operation. 36 hours from the initial dispatch the fire dept remained on the scene rotating engine co's for fire watch until the building can be demolished and allow co's to finally fully extinguish the remaining fire.
One firefighter is reported to have suffered a minor back injury, 6 area schools were closed the following day and 35 residents in the area were evacuated until later in the afternoon due to heavy smoke blanketing the area as well as limited access due to apparatus operating. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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Hancock Collection
Hancock Collection
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