2009
These are the photographed incidents that occurred in 2009. Not all incidents were photographed that took place in Jakeland in the year 2009.
10/13/09 SEVEN KILLED IN KANSAS ST FIRE
Firefighters in midtown Jakeland were woken up at 03:44 for a fire at 177 Kansas St. When firefighters arrived on scene, heavy fire was throughout the entire two story apartment complex and through the roof. A gas explosion in the basement woke up a lot of the residents, who were able to escape. However seven, who mostly were above where the explosion had occurred, were killed. The following units operated at the scene, Engines 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 15, Ladder 3, Ladder 5, Truck 6, Ladder 7, Squads 3 and 10, Rescue 1 and Battalions 1 and 3.
7/26/09 CLIFFSIDE BAR BURNS
A bar under construction suspiciously burned into a 3 alarm blaze at 12:03 in the afternoon. Jakeland firefighters from the Cliffside section firehouse of Engine 9 and Ladder 5 were dispatched to the bar for a report of smoke coming from the structure. When firefighters arrived on scene, they discovered that it was a working structure fire. A second alarm was quickly sounded as a structure next door on New St had also been involved in fire. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the flames in the New St structure, however the flames in the bar had raged out of control. Firefighters fought the blaze from the street as flames shot through the windows and roof of the bar. The fire has been ruled arson and the owner of the bar is the suspect. The owner was unable to pay costs due to a divorce and was seeking money from an insurance claim. Units that operated at the scene were Engines 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 13, 15 Truck 1, Ladder 5, Truck 6, Quint 8, Squad 3, Rescue 1 and Battalions 2 and 4.
5/24/09 FINCH AVE STRUCTURE FULLY ENGULFED
Firefighters in South Jakeland were dispatched at 08:26 to 1047 Finch Ave for a report of a building fire. Engine 14 arrived on scene first and discovered a commercial complex on the corner of Finch Ave and West Pleasantview fully involved. A second alarm was immediately requested and an exterior attack was made by firefighters. M/A was requested to stand by at empty firehouses from New Brickington, Lego Twp, St. Lego and North Lereado. A rehab unit was also requested to the scene from Legocreek. The fire was held at 3 alarms. Firefighters were still on scene through the early hours of 5/25/2009 to hit hot spots as the building continued to smolder and collapse. All units that operated at the scene were Engines 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, Truck 1, Truck 4, Ladder 5, Truck 6, Ladder 7, Squad 10 and Rescue 1.
4/20/09 HOUSE FIRE KILLS 2
Jakelands firefighters were met with a tough task at 11:05 PM. Firefighters were dispatched to 833 Beech St on a report of a house fire with people trapped. When Engine 13 arrived, they discovered heavy fire on the second floor. Firefighters stretched a hose to the second floor. Battalion 3 requested a second alarm bringing in Engines 12, 14 and Truck 1. Firefighters were able to locate the 2 victims on the second floor quickly and bring them out of the home. The fire however, raged out of control and eventually burned through the roof. Firefighters evacuated the home and fought the blaze from the outside. The 2 victims were pronounced dead at Jakeland University Medical Center. All units that operated at the scene were Engines 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, Truck 1, Truck 4, Ladder 5, Squad 10 and Rescue 1.
3/30/09 FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE 1 FROM FIRE
Firefighters in Chinatown were dispatched to 132 1st Ave on a report of a fire with a person trapped. When Engine 6 arrived, they discovered a person on the second floor by a window screaming for help. Firefighters were able to place a ground ladder under his window to assist him to safety. The fire was held to a 1st alarm and was quickly brought under control.
2/22/09 GENERAL ALARM WAREHOUSE JOB
The Jakeland Fire Dept. at 12:31 AM were dispatched to 1497 Commerce Dr on a report of a activated fire alarm. When units were responding, they could see an orange glow in the sky. Once Battalion Chief Rick Gustuffson was on scene, he requested a 2nd alarm to the scene and a 3rd alarm to stand by at Jakeland Ave and Bergen St. Division Chief Timothy Melber arrived on scene with the 3rd alarm assignment and requested that all Jakeland units be brought to the scene or stage at Commerce Dr and Avenue D. Mutual aid was also requested to respond to stand by at the Coal St, Park Ave and Bulldog St firehouses. Fire crews from Rochelle Heights, St Lego and Lego Twp were eventually brought into the scene to assist with a water supply from a better source of hydrants. Fire crews were on scene until the late afternoon hitting hot spots. All mutual aid that was requested was Lego Twp, Rochelle Hts, St Lego, North Lereado, Buena Vista, Buildington and Midlego. The cause of the fire was determined to be a leaking gas line in the basement of the warehouse.
2/11/09 ENGINE 7 CRASHES RESPONDING TO ALARM
Engine 7's KME pumper was involved in a crash while responding to an activated fire alarm. Engine 7 was making a left turn from Memorial Field Way on to Essex St with its lights and sirens activated. Engine 7's chauffeur pressed on the brake prior to taking the turn, however the brakes did not work. As Engine 7 made the turn, the pumper rolled onto its side and struck a building. The chauffeur and a firefighter in the rear were both trapped, however they were quickly removed by members of Truck 4, Squad 10 and Rescue 1. All of the firefighters in the pumper were taken to Jakeland University Medical Center as a precaution. The pumper has been taken to the DPW yard so representatives from KME can look at the engine and see what happened with the brakes. For now Engine 7 will be using the reserve engine.
1/30/09 CAR FIRE ON STATE ROUTE 1
Engine 12 and Squad 3 were dispatched to a car fire on State Route 1. When Engine 12 arrived, they found a fully involved SUV in the right lane. NJ State Police and Jakeland Police blocked off the highway so firefighters could stretch hoses to extinguish the fire. The fire was quickly brought under control and there were no injuries.
1/7/09 FORBES FINANCIAL BUILDING FIRE KILLS 2
Firefighters in Downtown Jakeland were dispatched to an activated fire alarm at the Forbes Financial Building at 6:55 PM. When Battalion 1 arrived on scene, smoke was visible venting out the front sixth floor windows of the seven floor hi-rise. A full hi-rise 1st alarm was then requested to the scene. A security guard then reported that there was construction being done on the sixth floor and that two men were trying to put the blaze out themselves. Firefighters quickly responded up to the sixth floor to rescue the two workers. When the firefighters got up to the sixth floor, the fire had already made conditions extremely hazardous. Firefighters had to wait for several hoses to be stretched before they could begin a search for the workers. Once the hoses were able to get water on the fire, a search was made which found the two workers. The workers were removed and CPR was performed, however both men were killed. The fire burned for two and a half hours and required 3 Alarms to bring under control. Firefighters from Lego Twp, Rochelle Heights, Buena Vista, Buildington, North Lereado County, and St Lego were needed to stand by in empty firehouses as Jakelands Bravest battled the blaze.