East Orange 5-Alarmer

At 1226 on April 14, 2023, East Orange responded on a phone alarm fora reported fire on Central Avenue. On arrival, companies found a working fire in the end store of the 100- x 25-foot single-story taxpayer. The all-hands was transmitted, quickly followed by a second alarm as companies encountered heavy fire in the rearof the store, heavy smoke in the otherthree stores in the strip and possible fire in the cockloft. As conditions deteriorated, command pulled all companies from the building and off the roof. Command reported all visible fire in the store of origin was knocked down, however there was still heavy smoke in the otherstores. It appeared that companies were making progress when conditions rapidly deterio- rated. Athird alarm was requested as fire broke through the roof impinging on and endangering the C exposure, a large three-story frame multiple dwelling. The fire went to five alarms, with mutual aid from throughout the area responding to the scene orproviding coverage. One firefightersuffered minorinjuries. The exposure, although sustaining damage to the exterior, was saved by aggressive firefighting. The fire took several hours to be placed undercon trol. Firefighters were hampered by a common cockloft, unseasonably warm temperatures and a thick acrid smoke condition that hung in the street and often completely obscured the building.

- Fire News photos by Peter Danzo