Date: May 4, 2002

Time: 8:29 AM

Address: 1 Clara Maass Drive, Belleville, NJ

Incident: Patient sets fire in emergency department and flees, captured by Fire Dept.

The Emergency Department staff at Clara Maass Medical Center reacted quickly when they discovered a fire in one of the rooms early this Saturday morning.

Central station fire alarms were received at 8:29 AM reporting a fire at Clara Maass Hospital on Franklin Avenue. Clara Maass Medical Center is a part of the St. Barnabas Health Care System, operating a 465 bed acute care facility at the complex in Belleville. As the fire department was en-route, the 911 dispatchers notified them that a patient was suspected in setting the fire and was being chased by security personnel. Battalion #4 (B/C George Pedalino) arrived at the intersection outside the hospital, he was flagged down by two security officers chasing a male who fit the description given by hospital staff. Battalion Chief Pedalino advised Truck #1 Captain to take command upon arrival, and he drove past the suspect, and blocked him with the vehicle. He exited the car and ordered the man to stop, to which the male refused to obey. A struggle ensued, and Belleville Police Officer Nick Breiner arrived and assisted taking the suspect into custody on the front lawn of the Stephen Crane housing complex in Newark, across from the hospital.

Simultaneously, Engine #3 arrived at 08:30 AM, and stretched in a hoseline through the emergency department to the room of the fire. Hospital personnel were using dry chemical extinguishers to contain the fire, and it was quickly knocked down. Other firefighters arrived and setup command, making sure patient evacuations took place, and preventing the smoke from entering the hallways and duct system. The fire was contained to the bed, with limited damage to the room. The fire was declared under control at 8:45 AM, and firefighters remained on the scene until approximately 10:00 AM conducting an investigation.

The fire was handled by the on-duty response Truck #1, EMS #1, Engine #2 and #3, and the Battalion Chief. Additional companies were not needed as the situation was downgraded after the fire was extinguished. Hospital personnel advised the police and firefighters that the suspect originally remained in the ER, then assaulted a nurse and fled, being chased by security officers.

Approximately fifteen patients in the emergency department were safety evacuated without incident by the hospital personnel. The emergency department went on full divert for two hours, with all incoming patients redirected to other area hospitals. No other evacuations were necessary and the rest of the hospital remained open.

The Director of the Emergency Dept and maintenance personnel worked to clean up and re-establish operations at the hospital. Fire officials credit the bravery and quick actions of the emergency room nurses, technicians and security for containing the fire and removing the patients in an orderly fashion.

The cause of the fire was investigated, and it was determined to have been intentionally set. One suspect was arrested and charged with several crimes, including aggravated arson, three seperate aggravated assaults, and resisting arrest. He remains in custody at the Belleville Police Department at this time. Other charges are pending while the investigation continues with the Fire Department Arson Squad, Belleville Police, and County Prosecutors Office. ####