The Belleville Fire Department responded to 38 fire incidents during the span of a calendar week of April 11 to April 19. Here are some of the highlights:
* On Friday, April 11, at 2:08 p.m., all units responded to Domestic Linens at 265 Cortland St., for a fire. Firefighters found a dryer vent had caught fire, spreading to the roofing materials.
A sprinkler head activated until they could extinguish the burning wood and ascend to the roof to overhaul. The cause of the fire was related to a hot vent pipe coming in contact with the roof. Two engines, one truck and one EMS ambulance worked the scene.
* On April 12, at 2:21 p.m., all units responded to 157 Stephens St., for a reported structure fire. Firefighters arrived to find a 2 1/2 story wood-frame house fully involved on the first floor.
Two engines, one truck and one EMS ambulance worked until additional manpower and mutual aid units arrived.
More than 25 firefighters fought the blaze, which was brought under control by 3 p.m. All the residents escaped, but five cats and two dogs perished in the fire. The cause is under investigation and thought to be accidental at this time.
* On April 14, all units responded to 604 Washington Avenue for a reported fire. Firefighters found smoke and fire showing from a second floor window, and extinguished a fire burning in a bathroom.
Two engines, one truck and two EMS ambulances were manned by sixteen firefighters. The cause is under investigation and thought to be accidental at this time.
* On April 15, at 2:11 p.m., Engine 2 was sent to North Arlington and ultimately to Lyndhurst to provide fire protection while many Bergen County fire departments battled a large-scale brush fire in the Meadowlands area.
Engine 2 was released an hour later and returned to the township.
* On April 16 at 12 p.m., Truck #1 and EMS 1 responded to the area of the Pathmark on Washington Avenue for a brush fire. EMS #2 was sent as Truck Company support, while Engine #2 was out of the township at the Fire Training Academy. A stubborn brush fire was burning, and had extended across the railroads tracks and onto the former Walter Kiddie property.
Access was strictly limited, and firefighters had to relocate several times, approaching the scene from both Washington Avenue and Main Street. Nutley Engine #4 assisted and provided Haz-Mat support when several 55-gallon drums containing an unidentified material were found along the railways. One firefighter suffered a minor injury fighting the fire.
* On April 19 at 3:10 p.m., Engine 3 and EMS 1 were sent on mutual aid to Bloomfield for a working structure fire on Lawrence Street. Firefighters provided manpower to fight the blaze, and treated several injuries at the scene. They were released at 1:48 p.m. to respond back to Belleville for another fire.
* Also on April 19, at 3:43 p.m, all units responded to the Belleville Motor Lodge at 371 Washington Ave., for a reported fire. Firefighters found one room fully involved in fire, and quickly extinguished the fire before it could spread throughout the wing of the motel. Three engines, one truck and one EMS ambulance staffed by 20 firefighters worked at the fire.
Two suspects were later caught with the assistance of Belleville Police, and were charged with aggravated arson and causing widespread damage. Drug charges were also leveled against one individual as a result of the investigation.