January 3, 1816
The first fire in Paterson of which there is any written record was described in the Paterson Bee at probably referring to the residence of Mr. Samuel Colt, a leading manufacturer and store-keeper who lived at 120 Market Street (where in 1893, the Masonic Hall Stood)
July 5 , 1819
John Amen had a small frame house between Little Falls Road and the chasm (raceway) just west of Spruce Street Fire! July 5, 1819. From the Bergen Express - On Sunday last the house belonging to Mr. John Amens of this town was burnt to the ground together with the furniture it contained.
August 31, 1828
Van Houten Street, south side: Burned up Van Houten to Main Street and up Main to Ellison Street. 23 houses destroyed
July 19, 1830
Building of Abraham Godwin destroyed on southwest corner of Main and Van Houten Street
April 29, 1832
Destruction of the Little Beaver Mill, a brick and stone building on the West Side of raceway at the foot of Prospect Street. A Sunday night fire between 10 and 11 PM - from the painting by Thomas Whitely. The building was owned by Peter Walker and the fire, thought to be accidental, spread rapidly. By the time the engines arrived little could be done except preserve adjacent buildings.
April 24, 1838
Fire in small building on Main Street opposite Van Houten Street at 1:00 AM. The engines repaired to the spot. The minute book of Engine 3 states: Engine Mo. 3 took water from Np. 2 and played into No. 4. No. 3 sucked No. 2 dry three times and "washed" No. 4 during the whole time of the fire.
July 16, 1838:
Blacksmith's shop and stable. Washington and Fair Streets: No. 3 took water from the brook and were about to play into No. 2. But No. 2's company got its dander up about something and would not take water from No. 3. While this quarrel was going on Nos. 1 and 5 got to work and put out the fire.
August 6, 1840
A fire broke out in a stable on Main Street occupied by John Hart and about 20 buildings were destroyed before the flames could be extinguished
February 2, 1841
Shop of William Cundell, Main Street
1848
June 20: House of Neptune Engine Company 2 destroyed
June 28: Congress Hall, St. Paul's Church and the Oldham Machine shops on Market Street between Main and Union Streets
July 23: House of Eagle Truck Company 1 and Washington Engine Company 3 located on John (Ellison) Street destroyed
October: West side of Main Street, near corner of Broadway, then crossed over to east side of Main Street, thence up Main Street and stopped about where B. Kent's lower drugstore is located
June 28: Congress Hall, St. Paul's Church and the Oldham Machine shops on Market Street between Main and Union Streets
July 23: House of Eagle Truck Company 1 and Washington Engine Company 3 located on John (Ellison) Street destroyed
October: West side of Main Street, near corner of Broadway, then crossed over to east side of Main Street, thence up Main Street and stopped about where B. Kent's lower drugstore is located
1849
March 10: Carrick Mill, corner of Mill and Market Streets
Courtesy Dennis Martin
1850:
October: First Presbyterian Church totally destroyed
1856
August 2: Several stores burned out on west side of Main Street, near Broadway. Several fire companies indulged in a free fight. Men of Columbia Hose 1 and Protection Engine No. 5 resisted an attack from Engine No. 4's men. Afterwards the men of Hose 1 were expelled from the department and Columbia Hose Company One was disbanded.
December, 29: Several firms burned out at the northwest corner of Main and Van Houten Street. $40,000 loss.
December, 29: Several firms burned out at the northwest corner of Main and Van Houten Street. $40,000 loss.
March 12, 1857
The Malleray and Waverly Mills
1858
April 5: Ensign's Coffin Warerooms, 47 Broadway
December 26: The firehouse of Protection Engine Company 5 at Temple and High Streets
1859
February 4: 1:45 AM Main and Fair Streets Grocery Store (snowing)
Courtesy Dennis Martin
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1863
March 12: Gun Mill, at the foot of Boudinot Street (now called Van Houten Street)
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Curtesy Dennis Morrison
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July 1: Erie Repair Shop, Market Street. $40,000 loss
September 8, 1864
Odam's Stables at Main and Grand streets
1865
January 3: David Henry's carpenter shop - Main Street near Smith Street
November 12: Allen, Reynolds & Company Tobacco Factory. The first Supreme Sacrifice made by a Paterson Fireman - John Brophy of Washington Fire
Engine Company 3
November 12: Allen, Reynolds & Company Tobacco Factory. The first Supreme Sacrifice made by a Paterson Fireman - John Brophy of Washington Fire
Engine Company 3
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Scene of Fire - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
1865
December 20: Waverly Mill, foot of Mill Street. $100,000 loss
July 8, 1866
Danforth, Cooke and Company Locomotive Works. The second Supreme Sacrifice made by a Paterson Fireman - James Johnson of Protection Fire Engine Company 5 overcome with heat
Published July 9, 1866
February 21, 1867: Northside fire (lower Clinton Street) hampered by snow - early steamer use - At this time Engine 5 was a hand pumper - All of the apparatus was hand, not horse pulled during this time period
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Same Fire - Paterson Press February 22, 1867
Courtesy Jim Eifler
May 10, 1869
Adam's Mill, Van Wikle's foundry and Smith & Syke's Mill st 5 AM
Murray Mill $300,000 loss
Murray Mill $300,000 loss
1871
September 7: National Mills
December 13: Franklin Mill
December 13: Franklin Mill
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Below is a letter to the editor 
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December 14: "The Town Clock" Fire: First Reformed Church, Old Post Office, several stores and residences
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1872
October 4: Watson's Shop Loss $300,000
December 22: Collier's Rolling Mill on Railroad Avenue
December 22: Collier's Rolling Mill on Railroad Avenue
March 4, 1873
Riverside Hotel: Box 25 is the first fire transmitted via a street alarm box.
1875
April 18: Firehouse and Steamer of Protection Engine Company 5 on Water Street
June 28-29: Watson Shop
December 8: Adam's Milll on Van Houten Street
June 28-29: Watson Shop
December 8: Adam's Milll on Van Houten Street
1876
April 21: Elvin's Arcade, Ellison Street west of Main Street. $80,000 loss
June 28-29: Box 5 at 1:30 AM - Haring's Spice Mills and Paterson Horse Railroad Stables
November 13: Box 3 at 1:55 AM - Bloomberg Brothers on Main Street
June 28-29: Box 5 at 1:30 AM - Haring's Spice Mills and Paterson Horse Railroad Stables
November 13: Box 3 at 1:55 AM - Bloomberg Brothers on Main Street
1877
March 27: Box 14 at 5:40 AM Slater's Hotel on Ramapo Ave.
April 12: Box 7 at 9 AM Buchanan & Company's Mill on Mill Street
April 13: Box 3 at 2 AM Norwood and Company on Main Street
December 17: A train of cars and several buildings (Oil Fire)
April 12: Box 7 at 9 AM Buchanan & Company's Mill on Mill Street
April 13: Box 3 at 2 AM Norwood and Company on Main Street
December 17: A train of cars and several buildings (Oil Fire)
1878
October 5: Box 25 10:45 PM Passaic Rolling Mill
December 3: Box 43 11:15 PM Continental Hall at corner of Main and Van Houten Street
December 3: Box 43 11:15 PM Continental Hall at corner of Main and Van Houten Street
1879
February 13: Box 17 at 6:45 PM Roger's L and M Works & Barbour Mills on Spruce Street
July 14: Box 45 at 6:30 PM Union Manufacturing Company on River Street
July 14: Box 45 at 6:30 PM Union Manufacturing Company on River Street
1880
March 6: Box 16 at 5:30 AM Danforth L & M Company on Market Street
May 20: Box 17 at 1 PM Grant Locomotive Works, Gas House on Jersey Street
July 3: 72 Jackson Street- quarters of Eagle Hook and Ladder Company 1
May 20: Box 17 at 1 PM Grant Locomotive Works, Gas House on Jersey Street
July 3: 72 Jackson Street- quarters of Eagle Hook and Ladder Company 1
Courtesy Jim Eifler
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December 24: Box 52 at 1 AM F.C. Van Dyk & Company on Main Street
The sketch below of the Van Dyk Fire is embellished as the fire department was not using horses to pull steam fire engines in 1880
1881
May 8: Box 14 at 2:55 AM Kip's Livery Stable on Ramapo Ave
July 2, 1882: Five Steamers at Work!
Five Steamers at work River and Montgomery Streets Also 101 Jackson Street
1883
September 18: Box 71 2:30 PM R and H Adams Mill on Van Houten Street (all clips courtesy of Jim Eifler)
Courtesy jim Eifler
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November 29: Box 63 at 1:25 AM I.T Hyatts in Riverside
1884
July 15: Box 72 at 7:45 AM Mahoney's Dry Goods Store on Main Street
July 20: Box 12 at 4:10 AM Dolphin Manufacturing Company's batch house on Spruce Street
July 20: Box 12 at 4:10 AM Dolphin Manufacturing Company's batch house on Spruce Street
July 1885: Several Days of Fires
1885:
September 25: Boxes 31, 21 3:47 PM Pope Mill, Jay Street Loss $29,200
1886
January 12: Box 14 at 3:10 AM Crosby Buildings, corner of Park Avenue and Crosby Place
April 21: Box 63 at 3:22 AM Greppo Dye works in Riverside
April 21: Box 63 at 3:22 AM Greppo Dye works in Riverside
1887
February 5: Box 71 at 6:34 AM R and H Adam's Mill on Van Houten Street
April 23: Box 12 at 2:50 PM Ivanhoe Paper Mill on Spruce Street: boiler explosion
May 12: Box 25 at 11:10 PM Paterson Iron Works
September 7: Box 16 at 2:25 AM Grant Locomotive Works on Market Street
December 2: 6:40 PM Roger's Locomotive Shops Spruce and Oliver Streets
April 23: Box 12 at 2:50 PM Ivanhoe Paper Mill on Spruce Street: boiler explosion
May 12: Box 25 at 11:10 PM Paterson Iron Works
September 7: Box 16 at 2:25 AM Grant Locomotive Works on Market Street
December 2: 6:40 PM Roger's Locomotive Shops Spruce and Oliver Streets
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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1888
January 23: at 10:40 AM Roger's L and M Works on Spruce Street
June 28: Box 45 at 2:10 AM Ackerman's Stables on River Street
July 10: Box 14 at 9:11 AM Bell Building at Market St and Ramapo Avenue
October 24: Box 45 at 3:12 AM AR Rutan's Stable on Godwin Street $18,500
June 28: Box 45 at 2:10 AM Ackerman's Stables on River Street
July 10: Box 14 at 9:11 AM Bell Building at Market St and Ramapo Avenue
October 24: Box 45 at 3:12 AM AR Rutan's Stable on Godwin Street $18,500
1889
January 23: Box 17 10:40 AM Roger's L&M works Spruce Street Loss $38,700
March 6: Box 14 at 4:44 AM Ekings block on Market Street $17,182
June 3: Box 243 at 10:20 PM Doherty and Wadsworth at Beech and Essex Streets
June 7: Box 36 at 2:05 AM Ulrich Piano Company
June 28: Box 45 2:10 AM Ackerman's Stables, River Street Loss $8,900
July 24: Box 51 at 8:05 PM Kohlhaas Brothers Gun Mill
October 15: Box 23 at 12:31 PM Peerless Plush Company Franklin and Summer Streets
March 6: Box 14 at 4:44 AM Ekings block on Market Street $17,182
June 3: Box 243 at 10:20 PM Doherty and Wadsworth at Beech and Essex Streets
June 7: Box 36 at 2:05 AM Ulrich Piano Company
June 28: Box 45 2:10 AM Ackerman's Stables, River Street Loss $8,900
July 24: Box 51 at 8:05 PM Kohlhaas Brothers Gun Mill
October 15: Box 23 at 12:31 PM Peerless Plush Company Franklin and Summer Streets
1890
February 8: Box 72 at 1:57 AM Washington Market, corner of Broadway and Fair Streets
February 13, 1890 The last major fire handled by the Volunteer department. Below are the Paterson Weekly Press clippings courtesy Jim Eifler Read columns L to R
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MARCH 20, 1890: VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT CEASES OPERATION
