Cover Story: Four Alarms In the Bronx

by Harvey Eisner
Created: December 1, 2013

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Photos by Herbert J. Eysser

Heavy fire involves several of the exposures within a few minutes of dispatch. Large-caliber streams were needed to hit the heavy fire in the second floor and attic of the original fire building...
Heavy fire involves several of the exposures within a few minutes of dispatch. Large-caliber streams were needed to hit the heavy fire in the second floor and attic of the original fire building. Searches were delayed due to the heavy fire. Firefighters were ordered away from one side of the fire building where an exterior wall was compromised.
Photos by Herbert J. Eysser

Heavy smoke rises skyward as the first apparatus approach the scene. The battalion chief ordered a second alarm as he arrived.
Heavy smoke rises skyward as the first apparatus approach the scene. The battalion chief ordered a second alarm as he arrived.
Photos by Herbert J. Eysser

Two buildings are involved as firefighters ascend a fire escape to initially open up, vent and search.
Two buildings are involved as firefighters ascend a fire escape to initially open up, vent and search.
Photos by Herbert J. Eysser

Additional handlines are stretched to the fire building and numerous exposures. Six handlines were stretched rapidly to cut off the fire extension to nearby surrounding exposures.
Additional handlines are stretched to the fire building and numerous exposures. Six handlines were stretched rapidly to cut off the fire extension to nearby surrounding exposures.

BRONX, NY, OCT. 27, 2013 – A late-afternoon, four-alarm fire involved a total of five buildings in the Norwood section of the Bronx. A heavy volume of fire and a tremendous black cloud of smoke that was visible for miles set the stage for the first-arriving companies. Engine 79 and Ladder 37, under the command of the 27th Battalion, found heavy fire in an apparently vacant building and extending to two similar wood-frame dwellings. A second alarm was requested almost immediately.

The fire heavily damaged a wall between the fire building and one of the exposures. Firefighters operated six handlines within the first few minutes. Large-caliber streams attacked the fire in the attic of the original fire building. The fire extended to two buildings located in the rear. The third and then fourth alarms were transmitted. Additional engines and trucks were special-called. It took more than three hours for firefighters to place the fire under control.

—Harvey Eisner

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