2nd Alarm in District 4 Local With Quick Response

On Saturday April 19th at approximately 13:15 hrs, District 4 was dispatched to a reported mulch fire at Lowes on Centennial Avenue. Engine 621 with a crew of 5 responded, along with BLS Unit 16, and Chief Nee in Unit 628. The small fire was on one of the islands in the parking lot and was extinquished quickly. While the Engine was backing into quarters, tones dropped for a reported deck fire on Thames Avenue just a few blocks from the fire house. Members in quarters saw the smoke and alerted the Engine Co. who were awaiting the nature and location. On arrival, Chief Nee confirmed a working fire in a 2 1/2 story wood frame and asked for the 1st alarm right away. Since this would have been a reverse lay for a supply line, Chief Smolko(River Road 658) and the crew from BLS 16 assist in stretching the 5 inch supply line by hand. He quickly realized this was not going to be fast enough and tied a piece of rope around the hose and the hitch of Unit 628 and drove the 5 inch down the street to the hydrant where an off duty Edison Firefighter was passing by and assisted in setting up the hydrant. The first in crews stretched a 2 1/2 inch line to side C and an 1 3/4 line to side A. At this point it was determined that propane tanks, the deck and the structure itself were all involved with fire. Chief Nee requested a 2nd Alarm bringing New Market Engine 662 and River Road Engine 651 to the scene. Chief Nee then requested Highland Park Engine 102 to cover District 4. Ladder 627 arrived with a crew of 4 and assumed side A and laddered the roof for venting. Engine 622 with a crew of 3 and Rescue 625 with a crew of 2 also responded to the scene and were also given assignments on arrival. Rehab was established by Lt. Fisher and BLS 17 was assigned for tranpsort if needed. Due to the aggressvie attack with the 2 1/2 line on side C and the aggressive attack with the 1 3/4, the entire 2nd floor was saved from severe damage although the remainder of the house did sustain significant damage. All occupants escaped unharmed and no fire service injuries were reported. Special thanks to all mutual aid companies that responded: Highland Park, New Market and River Road Fire Companies as well as Piscataway OEM & the Piscataway Fire Prevention Office.