Photo By Bill Tompkins
A 24-unit apartment building was destroyed and at least three people were killed when a powerful explosion and fire tore through the Bergenfield, N.J., structure, on Dec. 13, 2005.
At about 0900 HRS, construction workers were removing a large fuel oil tank next to the three-story apartment building on Elm Street, when the pit collapsed and apparently pinched a gas line running to the building. Nearby residents reported the odor of gas and the Bergenfield Fire Department responded.
On arrival, there were no indications of a gas leak, so the building was not evacuated. The gas utility company was notified and responded. At about 0930 HRS, as the gas utility company was shutting down the line, the building exploded.
The massive explosion blew down the exterior walls on the rear half of the building on the exposure 4 side, also collapsing the interior floors in the area. Five people, including residents and workers, were injured by the flames of falling debris. Firefighters quickly evacuated as many residents as possible.
Second and third alarms were quickly transmitted, bringing many mutual-aid units to the scene, as flames intensified in the collapse area and began to spread to the rest of the structure. About 400 firefighters, police and emergency personnel from more than 25 agencies responded to the fire.
Crews attempted an interior attack but eventually abandoned it due to the questionable integrity of the building. Three ladder pipes were put into operation along with a deck gun and numerous handlines. Sub-freezing temperatures made firefighting more difficult as the flames consumed most of the building.
Due to the condition of the building, a very cautious search-and-rescue operation was commenced. Local, county and state agencies worked together to search the building. Two bodies were located during the afternoon, and another was found in the early evening. Searches continued throughout the night and into the next day, as four people were still unaccounted for.