Good Stop Held to only a 1st Alarm

 

On September 16, 2008 at approximately 13:45 hrs District 4 was dispatched to a possible structure fire at 15 Brotherhood Street. Piscataway Police were first to arrive and found smoke showing from the C side and then reported heavy smoke showing from the A side. Ladder 627 called in service with a crew of 4 under the command of Captain Mateyka and Engine 622 quickly follwed under the command of Asst. Chief McDermott with a crew of 3. While enroute dispatch now confirmed the working fire and the first alarm was requested. Ladder 627 assumed side A and stretched a 1 3/4 line to the front door. As the crew reached the front door the division 2 A side windows self vented and had fire now blowing out. They forced entry and stretched up the stairs to find heavy smoke, heat and fire on Division 2. Engine 621 now called in service with a crew of 5 under the command of Ex-Chief Bob Gorr. Engine 622 was assigned to establish the supply line and then stretch a back up line. The first line in with FF. D Merril on the nozzle and Capt. Mateyka backing up with FF J. Darby feeding line knocked majority of the fire down and began ventilation with Eng. 621 crew holding the stairway with the back up line. Engine 621 crew arrived and was assigned to the role of primary search and vent as you go. There was still a vehicle in the driveway and the incident manager (Asst. Chief McDermott) wanted to make sure we had no victims still inside. BLS unit 16 and RWJ 783 assisted with rehab on location, while New Market Fire was requested to cover District 4 for any other alarms. All companies were back in service by 16:30 hrs, and with the exception of some minor smoke and water damage the first floor was preserved. Division 2 however suffered major fire damage in a front bedroom and significant heat, smoke and water damage throughout the remained of the floor. Hats off to the first in crew they did a great job.