Newburgh ’s Bravest Avert Disaster

 Saturday 12-26-2009

On the day after Christmas around 9PM, City of Newburgh Firefighters responded to a reported structure fire at 448 Broadway.  Upon arrival flames were seen reaching up over 25 feet in the rear of a 2 story commercial building between the old Daniels & West auto shop and the Citizens bank.

Assistant Fire Chief Gary Ferguson sounded a 2^nd alarm response and sent his men into harms way.  Firefighters needed an 1¾” and 2½” hand lines to mount their interior attack and contain the blaze.  With a heavy rainfall coming down, thick smoke pouring all around the fire was brought under control in about 45 minutes.

Accomplishing this was more than a simple textbook operation.  Newburgh ’s bravest had to execute one of the most dangerous steps in firefighting:  they had to enter the basement of the structure which had only one entrance/exit point.  Great credit is due to the coordination of the many teams on scene involved and the training and drilling firefighters do ongoing.

Despite the City of Newburgh’s financial woes, their firefighters remain world class professionals….with a building filled with cars and various combustible substances a mere ally’s width away firemen contained the blaze and averted what could have been a Christmas disaster.

The cause of this fire remains under investigation.   

Firefighter’s contained a blaze that could have easily spread to adjoining buildings.

A full 2^nd alarm response was needed to tackle the fire.

Orange County Deputy Fire Coordinator Charlie Piper (l), Incident Commander Asst. Chief Gary Ferguson (c), and Chief of the Department Mike Vatter (r) discuss operations.

Firefighters exit the 2^nd story following a search and venting operations.

NFD Lt. Chris Pawlowski (c) is briefed by Chief Ferguson prior to leading his men into the dangerous basement.

Firefighters exit the severely damaged storefront after their work.

NFD Lt. Tim Hagar updates Chief Ferguson on the progress his men was making.

NFD Capt. Terry Alhers (l) and FF Chris O’Dell (r) exit the structure just before the blaze is declared under control.

*** See the 1st Responder News article here ***