Fires: 9

1^st Responder calls: 17

Hazardous Condition: 6

Service calls: 3

False/Malfunction: 3

Ambulance Runs: 42

The Belleville Fire Department responded to thirty-three (38) fire incidents and forty-two (42) EMS incidents during the calendar week of January 29 to February 5, 2002. Here are some of the highlights:

• On January 30, at 3:22 p.m., Engine 2 responded to a parking lot on Main Street for a reported fuel spill. A large quantity of diesel fuel had leaked out from improperly sealed containers being transported in a truck onto the road surface. Firefighters contained the fuel, and applied absorbent. The company was responsible to remove the materials.
• On February 1, several weather related emergencies were reported due to a rain and wind storm. High winds snapped the top of a utility pole on Union Avenue at 6:42 a.m. PSE&G responded to the problem and, with firefighters, extinguished the burning pole. Engine 2 and PSE&G had to return later that day at 4:56 p.m., as additional wires caught fire, re-igniting the pole. Wires were also reported downed on Lavergne Avenue and Union Avenue, with firefighters from Truck 1 and Engine 2 responding to handle those situations until PSE&G could arrive.
• On February 1, at 5:45 p.m., a two-car MVA was reported on Joralemon Street near Hill Street. Several persons were injured and treated by Truck 1 and EMS 1 firefighters. An additional call for an MVA came in at 5:53 p.m., at Belmont Avenue & Franklin Street. Engine 3 responded along with Truck 1 and treated the injured until the EMS unit was available to transport.
• On February 3, at 10:55 a.m., all units responded to a residence on Crestwood Avenue for a stove fire. The fire was contained to the stovetop, and the house was ventilated to remove the smoke.
• On February 4, at 01:45 a.m., the City of Newark requested mutual aid to respond into their city while they battled a 4-alarm fire on Mt. Prospect Avenue. Engine 2 was detailed to the Central Ward along with other mutual aid companies. While covering, Belleville firefighters responded and assisted at several calls, including a small apartment fire in a high rise building.
• On February 5, at 5:43 p.m., all units responded to a residence on Frederick Street for smoke and an odor of burning in the basement. Firefighters found a bird had entered the chimney and became blocked in the flu vent pipe for the hot water heater, igniting the bird and causing a carbon monoxide backup into the house. The blocked pipe was cleared and the owner was advised to keep the door open to allow fresh air into the basement to prevent CO buildup.

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