Newark Fire officials are reporting that since last Saturday, December 30th, 2017, members of the Newark Fire Division have battled 11 fires, in addition to cold and wind.
In a statement released by Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose, he commended firefighters and emergency responders for their valiant efforts.
“I commend the efforts of the men and women in the Newark Fire Division who have been fighting fires, biting cold and frigid temperatures during the past several days without losing any lives,” Director Ambrose said. “Fighting a raging fire is extremely dangerous, without also having to battle intense winds, cold and the icy conditions caused by freezing water.”
Director Ambrose said the first of the 11 fires occurred on December 30th at approximately 9:12 p.m. where firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire at Velez Tire Shop where Paul Leber, a 10-year veteran, became disoriented inside the building.
Firefighter Leber was in the tire shop with other members of Engine 7, including a probationary firefighter according to Director Ambrose.
As conditions worsened, they were ordered out of the building, and as they were exiting, Leber became disoriented and members of Engine 7 and Rescue 1 went back into the building with other firefighters and rescued him.
EMS transported Leber to University Hospital then later transferred to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx where he is recovering from his injuries.
The cause and the origins of this fire remain under investigation.
Director Ambrose said, on December 31st firefighters extinguished three fires, all occurring in three-story residences.
The 2-alarm fire was reported at approximately 3:15 p.m. at 842 South 14th Street and determined to be accidental.
On the same day, firefighters battled fires at 94 Schuyler Avenue around 4:51 p.m. then at 138 Clinton Avenue reported at 11:58 p.m. where the cause and origins of these fires are under investigation according to Director Ambrose.
Another fire, determined to be accidental, was reported at 118 South 11th Street, a 2 ½ story residence, on January 1st at 8:35 a.m.
Crews battled a 2-½ story residential structure, was reported two days later on January 3rd also at 8:35 a.m. at 99 Weequahic Avenue where officials said was determined to be accidental.
Also on January 3rd, crews knocked down a fire inside a 4-story structure at 24 Garden Street after it was reported at 4:37 p.m.
Director Ambrose said on January 4th, firefighters responded to two additional fires, both involving vacant 2-story residences.
The first reported at 6:53 p.m. at 150 Munn Avenue and the second fire, at 39 Milford Avenue, was reported at approximately 11:46 p.m.
The Milford Avenue fire started in a vacant 2-1/2 story building and escalated to three-alarms after it spread to nearby structures, involving a total of three buildings.
Ten people, including six adults and four children, required assistance from 44 Milford Avenue. No injuries were reported as a result of this incident.
Two additional fires were reported Friday shortly after 3 a.m. where a three-alarm fire occurred at 100 South 14th Street involving four structures and several cars.
Fire officials said this fire affected seven buildings and five vehicles in total, most being two-story residential buildings and a three-story, multiple family building.
One structure was affected by water damage, and about 30 people were displaced in this incident.
The American Red Cross is handling relocations. Four firefighters suffered minor injuries due to exposure, slips and falls.
In the city's South Ward at approximately 3:30 a.m., firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire at 62 Vanderpool Street for a 2-1/2 story residential building fire, and several cars also caught fire.
Director Ambrose said this fire spread to an adjacent building, but there were no injuries reported.
The number and severity of the last three fires required the deployment of several hundred Newark Firefighters and also needed mutual aid assistance from West Orange and Kearny.
As part of the mutual aid agreement, fire units from Millburn, Bloomfield, Montclair, Belleville, Jersey City, Harrison, Irvington, East Orange, and Orange manned our firehouses if other fires were reported.
The Newark Fire Division’s Arson Unit will investiate all of the incidents.