On Saturday afternoon, August 28, 2010 at 1:52, Ramsey PD received a 911 call reporting a structure fire at 203 South Central ave. The 911 caller reported that all occupants were out of the home. The RFD was concluding a fire alarm call at the Burger King restaurant when this call was received. Engine 433 with Driver Matt Mistretta, Captain Gregg Hewitt, Lt John Krehel and Firefighter Keith Mistretta were returning from Burger King and were 2 blocks away when the call was dispatched. Seeing the heavy smoke from the distance, they tagged a hydrant and layed a supply line to the fire. The first line was pulled and brought to front door. Heavy fire was pushing from the "B" & "C" corner windows of the second floor with heavy smoke showing from the eaves and roof. Capt Hewitt and Lt. Krehel entered the structure as the line was flaked out by firefighters Christopher and James Warnet and firefighter Kevin Falk, who were on the second due engine (434). The line was charged and an aggressive interior attack was initiated as the second line was being put into position. The heavy fire was knocked down and firefighters Chris and James Warnet were brought with firefighter Nick Krazit in to begin overhaul. They continued with spot fires, overhaul and fog venting. This all occurred before Deputy Chief Randy Sterbinsky and Captain Lou Warnet arrived on the scene to begin the Incident Command procedures. Tower Ladder 441 was positioned in the front and set up to vent the roof as Engine (434) provided a supply line for the tower if needed. Deputy Chief Sterbinsky took Command and began the mutual aid requests with the activation of NORCON. Captain Warnet assisted with operations with Wyckoff Chief Dave Murphy. Mutual aid consisted of a FAST team from Mahwah Co. 2, Engines from Mahwah Co. 1 and Allendale as well as a tower ladder from Wyckoff. Stand by Co's came from Upper Saddle River, Franklin Lakes and Waldwick. The Ramsey Ambulance Corp and Rescue Squad also responded.
During the first moments of the incident, it was reported that 2 dogs were inside and unaccounted for. Firefighter Norm Anderson located the first dog and was brought out. Ambulance corp personnel began treating the small dog with oxygen and then it was rushed to the Oradell Animal Hospital. The dog survived. The second dog did not survive and was found in a bedroom.
No firefighter injuries were reported, however much later in the incident, the homeowner was taken to the hospital with chest pains.
The aggressiveness of the first units on the scene was the deciding factor on the outcome of this incident. The attack and control of this fire was accomplished before the Command structure was established and Mutual was in place. Great Job to the crews on 433 & 434!!
Thanks again to the mutual aid units that responded. All personnel were used at the scene for extensive overhaul and relief purposes.
The home was deemed uninhabitable and the fire's cause is under investigation