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Historic Fires
LABOR DAY 1985
Story by FF. E. Rodrigues and D.C. M. Martocci
 At
14:30 hrs. Passaic Fire Dispatch received a call
for a reported fire in the alleyway between two
buildings in the industrial complex at 122 8th Street.
The initial dispatch was Eng. Co. # 2, Eng. Co.
# 3 and Trk. Co. # 2 and Battalion Chief. While
companies were responding they encountered a large
column of smoke coming from the complex, and reported
a working fire. The first Engine was confronted
with what appeared to be routine dumpster fire.
However molten naphthalene spread the fire along
the wall of the exterior of the bldg. and a nearby
shed. The second arriving Engine # 3 was positioned
at the dead end of 10th Street. They had difficulty
forcing entry into the complex due to multiple gates
and locks. Members noted that there was no water
flow from the sprinklers in the fire building. The
water supply from Eng. Co. # 2's deck gun and a
2 ý" hand line, encountered poor to minimum water
pressure from area hydrants. Conditions quickly
deteriorated. Fire was now extending to both buildings
and the overhead catwalk. Heat conditions forced
the first due companies out of that immediate vicinity.
Within 5 minutes of the initial alarm a request
of a general alarm was made. Firefighting efforts
were concentrated in an attempt to contain the fire
within the two involved mills. The gallant efforts
of members of the "A" shift were quickly diverted
now to protect nearby residents by the Industrial
complex. A massive evacuation was now underway.
Master streams and hand lines were deployed to protect
multiple 2 ý story wood frame dwellings north of
the fire. Elevated streams were set up at the rear
of the mill complex near the river to try to keep
the fire from extending to the rest of the factory
complex. These efforts had no effect on the fire
and the first of the mutual aid requests were ordered.
The low water pressure in that district of the city
compounded the mounting problems.  Eleven
of the municipal hydrants in the area had been shut
off in the street control valve due to vandalism
during the summer period. The hydraulic limits of
the supply system were overwhelmed. The fire was
now out of control and forced several aerial apparatus's
to reposition themselves due to the high flame and
heat conditions. Within 1 hour the initial two fire
buildings were collapsing as the fire spread to
adjourning structures both commercial and residential.
Old mill buildings on both sides of 8th Street were
no involved due to radiant heat and fire brands.
A conflagration was now evident. At one point no
apparatus and or personnel could continue down 8th
Street due to the conflagration conditions. A new
defensive task force of dozens of Engine and Truck
Companies held further involvement of residential
structures. It took 12 hours before the fire was
declared "under control" but far from being extinguished!
It was estimated that it took over 300 firefighters to take back, what was yet
left to burn at the old 8 Street Industrial Complex.
Overall there were a total of 39 Departments that
responded to assist our Department that day. Passaic
firefighters remained on the scene for several weeks.
A fire investigation was conducted and it was found
that 2 young juveniles entered the complex and tossed
matches into a dumpster.  This
dumpster contained the highly flammable "naphthalene"
which caused the rapid fire spread. The boys were
later convicted of arson, criminal mischief resulting
in widespread damage and injury. Further investigation
revealed that the failure of the sprinkler and yard
hydrants were due to neglect and improper maintenance.
A 100,000 gallon water tank that fed firefighting
appliances was empty and placed out of service 3
years prior to the fire. Faced with multiple problems
and hindrances, the Passaic Fire Department with
its many neighboring brothers fought one of the
most devastating fires in New Jersey history. It
must be respectfully noted FF. of the Secaucus Fire
Department suffered a "massive" heart attack while
at the pump panel fighting this fire. Our heartfelt
sympathy to all the members of the Secaucus Fire
Department and FF family is acknowledged today.
VELVERAY PLANT FIRE
City of Passaic, New Jersey
February 17th, 1960
One of the most devastating days in the Passaic
Fire Departments history occurred on the above date.
A general alarm fire at the Velveray Textile and
Printing Company located at the intersection of
Walnut and Brighton Streets claimed the life of
Firefighter William Jackson.
The fire started on the first floor in a laminating machine and quickly extended into the upper floors via the multitude of void spaces created by plumbing and electrical fixtures.
The first alarm came into fire headquarters at 09:02 am. Both Passaic and Clifton Fire Departments responded to the scene. At approximately 09:25 am a general alarm was sounded. This brought all remaining Clifton and Passaic Fire companies to the scene. In addition, Paterson and Garfield Fire Departments dispatched units to the scene to assist the Passaic and Clifton members who were engaged in a brutal battle with the flames.
Several Passaic firefighters were operating on the roof of the Manhattan Rubber Company, which was adjacent to the now heavily involved Velveray Plant when, without warning, a series of explosions occurred in the Velveray Plant. This prompted the Chief to order a complete withdrawal of all interior operating personnel. At 10:30 am another much larger explosion occurred, sending a four story wall to come crashing down on top of Passaic's Ladder Company #1 causing several firefighters to run for cover. Several firefighters were severely injured. Firefighter William Jackson was forced to dive under the truck to escape being completely crushed by the bricks and mortar; however, his right leg was amputated at the knee by the falling debris. Firefighter Jackson was rescued from beneath the truck by other members of Ladder Company #1 and then transported to Passaic General Hospital in critical condition.
Also injured battling the blaze were Clifton Fire Department Deputy Chief Romolo Zangrando, several Clifton Firefighters, and Passaic Fire Lieutenant Edward Nolan. All of these members were injured by the same collapse.
Two other Passaic Firefighters, Richard Dawson and John Doremus who were setting up Passaic Ladder #1 for aerial master stream operations, escaped sudden death by jumping off the truck and running for cover as the collapse occurred. Both men were not hurt but were extremely shaken up.
Passaic and Clifton Fire Department units remained on the scene for 3 days extinguishing this blaze that completely destroyed the Velveray Plant.
On March 10th, 1960 Firefighter William Jackson succumbed to injuries sustained while battling the fire at the Velveray Plant. Doctors attributed his death to a blood clot, which migrated from his amputated leg into his chest.
The Velveray Plant fire was listed as the costliest fire in the state for the year of 1960. Approximately $6,000,000.00 in property and 1 fire apparatus was destroyed in the blaze.
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