Posted on November 9, 2005
At 2119 hrs, the Bergenfield Fire Department was dispatched for a possible apartment fire at 110 Howard Drive. At the time of the call, members of the department were critiquing the fire from Monday at 51 Momar Drive. Deputy Fire Chief Greg Polandick was first on scene and went to the rear of the apartment building. He radioed all units that there was heavy fire out two windows in the rear. Engine 743 was first due and they stretched a thief line and a 2½ attack line. Members were uncertain if the occupants were out and they made an aggressive primary search without a handline for protection. The apartment flashed over just as the crew exited the apartment. Crews made a quick knock down of the fire. There was no extension to any of the other apartments in the complex. All occupants were out prior to the FD arriving on location. New Milford's F.A.S.T. team was on scene again and units from Tenafly and Dumont operated at the scene. Cresskill and Englewood units covered the town and took in a call while covering. Units were up by 0019 hrs.
Posted on November 7, 2005
On Monday morning November 7 at 0205 hrs, the Bergenfield FD was dispatched for a report of a house fire across from 51 Momar Drive. Chief of the Department,John Pampaloni, was the first to arrive. He reported heavy smoke and could see an orange glow in the sky. As Chief Pampaloni did his 3 side size up, he found heavy fire in the rear. All of the occupants were out of the 2½ story single family home. Engine 743 was first due to the call. They attempted to make an aggressive interior attack, but ran into problems while making their initial stretch. Engine 745 laid in two lines and immediately stretched two 2½ hand lines to the rear and began to attack the fire. The entire rear and most of the attic were heavily involved in fire.
The Bergenfield FD investigation team traced the fire back to 12 volt decorative lights that ran around the rear deck and pool. A short in the wiring led to the heavy fire damage. Units operated on scene until 0700 hrs. Mutual Aid assisted as well. New Milford’s F.A.S.T. team stood by while Dumont’s Squad 1 and Rescue 3 operated at the scene. A Cresskill Engine and a Tenafy ladder covered the town.
Posted on November 24, 2005
On Thursday evening at 1936 hrs, a general alarm was dispatched for the BVFD for wires arcing in the area of 85 Ralph Street. At 1938 hrs, a second general alarm was sounded for wires down at No. Prospect and W. Central, with a possible fence or house on fire. Engine 744 responded to the Ralph St. call and Engines 745, 743, Rescue 746 and Ladder 742 took in the second call.
Engine 744’s crew determined that the wires were being blown into the trees on the railroad tracks. CSX PD was on scene and PSE& G was notified. Units responding into the North Prospect call found two primary lines down. Portable 6 was in command and units determined that there was no house fire at this location. PSE&G was notified and 740 arrived and assumed command. PSE&G was on scene quickly and all units were up by 2030 hrs.
