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Four-Alarm Fire Rips Through Fort Lee Townhouse

Nobody was injured, but it took about 100 firefighters to put out the blaze on West Street Thursday.

 
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Firefighters on scene of fire at 494 West St. in Fort Lee Thursday.
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Firefighters on scene of fire at 494 West St. in Fort Lee Thursday.
Firefighters on scene of fire at 494 West St. in Fort Lee Thursday.
Firefighters on scene of fire at 494 West St. in Fort Lee Thursday.
Fort Lee Hook and Ladder Company #3, Ladder #1.
Firefighters on scene of fire at 494 West St. in Fort Lee Thursday.
Firefighters on scene of fire at 494 West St. in Fort Lee Thursday.
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Videos

Video shot by Mike Villanova.

No residents or firefighters were injured when a four-alarm fire tore into a six-unit townhouse complex in Fort Lee Thursday afternoon, officials said.

The Fort Lee Fire Department received a call reporting smoke at 494 West St. at about 3:07 p.m. Firefighters arrived at the scene to find heavy fire in the back of the first unit, where the fire appears to have started, according to officials.

When firefighters arrived, a propane tank on a barbecue on the rear deck of the unit exploded, said Fort Lee Fire Chief Keith Sabatino.

The first townhouse—comprised of two units—sustained heavy damage in the blaze, and firefighters had to open up the roof of a third unit to make sure the fire didn’t go through.

“Units four, five and six are okay, but nobody can inhabit them because the fire is under investigation,” Sabatino said. “It was a very aggressive, hot fire, and approximately 100 firefighters were used to put out the fire.”

Fire departments from Teaneck, Leonia, Englewood Cliffs, Englewood, Fairview, Palisades Park and Edgewater covered Fort Lee’s other firehouses during the four-alarm blaze, according to Sabatino.

They were staged out of Fort Lee Firehouse No. 3, he said.

County arson investigators were called to the scene after firefighters extinguished the blaze nearly two hours after it broke out, officials said.

Related Topics: Fort Lee Fire Department, Four-alarm fire, Townhouse Fire, and West Street

carol simon

7:09 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012

Shocking! I left my job at 3:07 and read the Patch prior to leaving NY City. All was well.
This evening, I read about this blazing fire. Thank God no casualties, however, the onset of this alarming event may give all of us in Fort Lee a wake up call as to how precious our lives and dwellings are and can be taken so quickly. These photos speak a thousand words!

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Richard Criscione

7:51 am on Friday, March 30, 2012

F.L.F.D did a commendable job keeping fire extension to adjacent exposures ,but why wasn't a "deck gun" employed behind the BMW ,which would have provided more water volume and it's "self venting" capabilities (blow out parts of the roof and walls). ? Unless it just isn't pictured. To any avail no injuries ,and a job well done by all Depts., on a tough job.

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Ottmar Pak

2:30 pm on Sunday, April 1, 2012

Billy, do you realize how shallow your comment is? People have lost their homes, yet you choose to comment how "sad" it would have been if the car burned because it is like yours?

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William Mays

4:52 pm on Sunday, April 1, 2012

Ever heard of insurance Ottomar? Calm down

Benette Frison

3:53 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012

I am praying for everybody in those houses. May God bless you to be fully restored with a new home and new happy memories! -Benette-

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