Major Fire in Upper Saddle River Challenges Ramsey FD

On Monday November 15 at shortly after 1:30 pm Chief Jim Dougherty was working his day job in Upper Saddle River and observed heavy smoke rising over the tree line off Rte 17 near Lake St. While searching for the source of the smoke he radioed in to Upper Saddle River Police Communications of the possibilty of a large fire in the area of Lake and Rte 17. He quickly located the fire on Schindler Court and assumed command and transmitted the working fire, second alarm with a special call for Ramsey Tower 441. Extremely heavy fire conditions with fire auto-exposing from the first to second floor. Chief Dougherty made sure all occupants were out and removed them to a safe area, during this process without benefit of turnout gear the first floor window blew out behind him causing him to jump over a iron railing to escape.
Tower 441 was first to arrive with Lt. John Krehel in command. Orders were to take a position in the driveway area in an effort to cut the fire off from the 2 attached units. The radiant heat from the fire was intense as the crew from the Ramsey Truck co set up and waited for water. As the first major collapse occurred, Upper Saddle River Engine 1232 arrived, established a water supply and began applying water to the side of the Tower Ladder along with Ramsey firefighters to cool the truck down to allow members to enter the bucket. Simultaneously water was applied to the fire to cool the radiant heat. Ramsey Engine 432 arrived in this time frame also and opened up with their pre-piped deck gun as the chauffeur hooked into an alternate water source. The 441 bucket quickly rose with the gun applying water to the fire achieving excellent knockdown of the fire. Upper Saddle River made entry to the attached unit and made sure the firewall between was holding the fire at bay. Extension was limited to the attic area only and was held in check by arriving mutual aid companies.
Extensive overhaul ensued with entry denied due to lightweight truss construction and the ever present collapse potential.
Cause was ruled accidental and no injuries occurred at this fire, an example of good management and fireground discipline.

Short video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWLvCsKcN0s