EAST ORANGE THIRD ALARM DESTROYS TWO HOMES

By Bill Tompkins – www.BTFirephotos.com

  Three alarms were transmitted as flames consumed two homes in East Orange and caused a scare for firefighters on November 28^th.

  Shortly before 6:00 AM, East Orange transmitted a box for a report of a working fire at 273 South Burnett Street with a possible elderly woman trapped. On arrival, units found heavy fire in the rear of a large 2 ½ story frame dwelling with serious exposure problems. The fire building was separated on both sides by similar structures separated by only narrow alleys.

 An interior attack and search was attempted, but water problems and the heavy volume of fire forced crews out ant the attack to go defensive. Flames extended to the exposure “D” building as additional units were called to the scene. An East Orange engine and a Bloomfield engine provided in-line pumping to supply a reliable water source. Two ladder pipes, one Squrt, and several handlines were put in operation on the “A” side of the fire building as well as a handline from the exposure “B” 2^nd floor porch, and Irvington firefighters working a line in the rear through a back yard on the “C” side.

 After about a two hour battle, all of the heavy fire was knocked down and overhaul was commenced. Due the structural instability of the building, firefighters had to proceed very cautiously as the searched and hit pockets of fire. About twenty minutes into the search and without any warning, a major collapse of the “B” side of the original fire building occurred. This prompted a “Mayday” transmission, and all firefighters were withdrawn. A  P.A.R. was conducted and confirmed all members were accounted for.  As  of this time, there is no conformation either way on the report of the missing person. No other serious injuries were reported, and the cause has yet to be determined.