Photos and Story by CHIRSTIAN M. FINK

Jersey City, NJ - A four fire-alarm fire ripped through a row of 2.5 story frame dwellings during the early morning hours of Wednesday August 13 leaving 7 families homeless. The fire, which was reported just after midnight, is believed to have started in a vacant building located at 215 Clerk Street. It caused extensive damage to two additional buildings before it could be brought under control.

Around midnight the phone lines in the JCFD Dispatch Center began receiving calls reporting a fire at several different addresses on Clerk Street. Engine 8, responding from their quarters just a few blocks away, immediately reported heavy smoke in the area and the captain confirmed a working fire moments later. Further size-up revealed heavy fire in the rear of an occupied 2.5-story frame dwelling which was already extending to one exposure and threatening another. The captain of Engine 8 requested a second alarm be transmitted.

As companies went to work 2nd Battalion Chief Robert Cobb arrived on the scene and assumed command of the incident. With the original building well involved and fire extending into two additional large 2.5-story frame dwellings BC Cobb requested a third alarm.

Deputy Chief Martin McNulty arrived several minutes later and assumed command. With heavy fire conditions now in three buildings and a fourth being threatened DC McNulty requested a fourth alarm be transmitted.