Report on massive apartment complex fire describes heroics

EDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — A report on a massive apartment fire in northern New Jersey last month describes heroic actions by firefighters as they battled a fast-moving blaze.

The January 21 fire at the Avalon at Edgewater complex on the Hudson River destroyed 240 units and left about 500 people homeless. The post-fire report compiled by Edgewater Fire Chief Thomas Jacobson was obtained by a public records request by The Record.

The fire was started by workmen doing plumbing repairs. Authorities have said it appears the workmen didn't call 911 but instead called their supervisor. Emergency responders received word of the fire from an alert from the company that operates fire alarms at the complex.

The first firefighter arrived on the scene about a minute after the Edgewater fire department received a call of an activated fire alarm, according to the report. A little more than an hour later, a call was received about a tenant trapped on the third floor.

A rescue crew from Palisades Park reached the man but couldn't leave through the hallway. So, according to the report, a group of firefighters from Cliffside Park worked to rescue the group from a balcony with the help of a 35-foot ladder.

Minutes later, all personnel were ordered out of the building as the fire grew more intense.

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