At 2:41 a.m., Wednesday, December 12, the Township of Union Fire Department was dispatched to 962 Floyd Terr. on a house fire just blocks away from fire headquarters.
While en route, dispatch informed all companies that the occupants where still in the house.
The first due companies where confronted with heavy fire conditions blowing out of the first and second floor windows.
Pre-connects where stretched to the rear of the home so firefighters could launch an aggressive attack. Frustration set in when one firefighter went through the compromised floor, forcing others to back out and revert to an offensive attack.
Four family members perished in the raging inferno. The victims include a 57 year-old father and three generations of women -- his 47 year- old wife, their 13 year old daughter and an 86 year-old maternal grandmother who was visiting from Australia for Christmas.
The only survivor, a 21 year- old son escaped by jumping out of a first floor window. He then helped police pull his fatally injured father from the blazing house. The young man was transported to Newark Beth Israel Medical Center for observation.
The first due Engine 1 captain received burns to his face from the intense heat as he lead the attack and rescue operation. He was transported to the Burn Center at St. Barnabas in Livingston where he was treated and realest.
Mutual aid companies at the fire scene where Elizabeth, Irvington, Springfield, Summit and Hillside while Kenilworth, Roselle Park, while Clark covered the town.
The investigation is continuing.
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