4 firefighters suffer heat exhaustion while battling blaze in Passaic, New Jersey

PASSAIC, N.J. -- Four firefighters suffered heat exhaustion while battling a house fire in Passaic on Wednesday.

Crews responded to a fire at a multi-family home on Union Avenue between Park Avenue and Spring Street around 3 p.m.

Neighbors tell CBS New York they heard an explosion then walked outside to see the home engulfed in flames.

"It was a lot of flame. It started in the first floor, then it went quickly up to the second floor," neighbor Damaris Saldivar said.

One man had to be rescued as firefighters navigated downed powerlines to get him out, and the 2.5-floor wood-frame building was reduced to a shell of what it used to be.

"It's a shame. It's so dangerous," Passaic resident Barbara Williams said.

Smoke and flames erupted from the Union Avenue home Wednesday.

The Passaic fire chief says the first mayday was sent soon after crews started fighting the blaze from inside and a firefighter collapsed. They were dealing with immediate fatigue and heat and running on pure adrenaline.

Four firefighters had to be transported to St. Mary's Hospital for heat exhaustion and more had to be evaluated.

Fire officials say there were 100-plus emergency workers on scene and firefighters were working in extreme conditions. They poured water on themselves to stay cool and helped out colleagues who were also struggling through the heat.

"The toll that is taken by firefighters to fight fires in extreme temperatures, heat, the exposure to smoke, obviously with the strain on resources and manpower, it takes so much," Mayor Hector Lora said.

"Probably the worst scenario is when you're dealing with a fire that's 800 degrees and hotter and the outside temperature is in the 90s, humidity is at 80, 90 percent. It's probably the worst scenario you can put us in, and basically that's what we're dealing with," Passaic Fire Chief Patrick Trentacost said.

At one point during the height of the fire, all firefighters were removed in order to account for everyone. They then continued fighting the blaze from outside, ensuring it didn't spread to neighboring houses.

"We were able to place lines in between the buildings and keep the fire confined to the initial fire building," Trentacost said.

Passaic Mayor Hector Lora says the home is a loss, not only because of the fire that ripped through it, but all the water needed to get it under control.

Although this is still an ongoing investigation, officials say an initial review shows this could be the result of an air conditioner that was running too long.

"Whether it's a manufacturer error, a design issue or overuse, these air conditioners can light up on fire," Lora said.

Fire crews continued to man the building Wednesday night to tend to any possible flareups.

The Red Cross is working with the families that have been displaced.

In:
• New Jersey
• House Fire
• Passaic County