Whippany Avenue Fire

The last day of February was a very busy one for the members of the West Paterson Fire Department. It was a somber day as they said farewell to Chaplin Father John Piccione that morning. He had passed away earlier in the week.

About eight hours after funeral, a 911 call of a house fire was received at headquarters. Soon Box 213 rang out through the Borough firehouses and the volunteer firefighters were summoned to respond to 32 Whippany Avenue in the Ryle Park section of the town.

The first chief to arrive on the scene was Car 11, Assistant Chief Joseph Macones, who quickly transmitted he had a working fire in a residential two story wood frame. First due Truck 2 from the nearby McBride Avenue firehouse arrived and quickly went to work.

They had to force entry to the first floor and the first attack line was advanced into the structure. Crews encountered heavy smoke and heat as they worked there way to the rear of the house. They discovered the well involved fire in a kitchen toward a rear corner of the house.

Engine 2 was second due to arrive, they stretched a supply line to Truck 2 and stretched a backup hose line through the front door, Engine 1, Rescue 1 and Engine 3 went to work with primary searches and checking for extension on the second floor, basement and attic.

Quick work by Truck 2 had the fire under control as flames then steam were observed from the right side of the house. The fire was soon declared under control within minutes of the first arriving companies and searches revealed the structure was empty at the time of the fire. The fire was held to a single alarm.