On March 12, 2005 at approximately 12:01 the Newark, New Jersey Fire Department transmitted Box 3516 for fire reported at Broadway and Elliot Streets.
Upon arrival, heavy smoke and fire was showing from 715 Broadway a two-story mixed occupancy with a bar on the first floor, occupied apartments above.
Fire was extending to exposure B, a one-story commercial, and exposure D, a large three-story frame 30x80.
Interior lines were stretched into the fire building and exposures.
Truck 6 and 1 forced entry into the buildings and laddered the roof tops to ventilate.
The second alarm was transmitted by the Incident Commander due to heavy fire conditions. Interior companies of the main fire building reported a flash over on the first floor. DC1 ordered the evacuation of the fire building.
Heavy fire ran the entire three story frame on side D.
Companies were ordered out of the exposure and master streams were set up. Truck 1 tower ladder set up on side A along with several deck guns and large handlines. Additional water supply was needed to feed the master streams.
HQ2 the Chief of Department, Norman Esparolini, arrived on the scene and assumed command of the incident. Chief Esparolini struck the third alarm ordering incoming companies to stretch in to supply ladder pipes.
A collapse zone was set up as exterior operations continued. The main fire building collapsed along with a partial collapse of Exposure D.
The fire involved 715 and extended to 713 and 717-727 Broadway Street.
