Fire Focus: Busy Month for Madison FD

The incessant rains in March resulted in approximately two dozen pump-outs.  The Madison Fire Department assisted residents with removing water from basements over a three-day period that led to one of the wettest Marches on record. On-duty firefighters assisted the ambulance corps with 28 medical emergencies during the month. Other noteworthy incidents from last month are:

March 3, 3:21 a.m.:  The fire department was notified of a motor vehicle crash with entrapment at the intersection of Danforth Road. and Park Avenue. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a three-car accident, with one vehicle on its side and one person trapped inside. Fire personnel cut away the windshield, stabilized and removed the patient. Firefighters cleaned up the debris from the roadway and secured the vehicles prior to them being removed. Firefighters were on scene for approximately 90 minutes.

March 5, 9:51 a.m.:  Firefighters were dispatched to a reported fire in a wall of an apartment at 17 Madison Ave. Arriving fire personnel found a fire burning in the exterior wall of the apartment. Firefighters "opened up" the wall and extinguished the fire. Firefighters utilized their thermal imaging cameras to ensure the fire did not spread any further. The total time on scene was approximately one hour.

March 15, 4 p.m.:  Madison firefighters were asked to respond by Morris County OEM to Lincoln Park to assist that community with their catastrophic flooding.  Five Madison personnel (career and volunteer) responded and spent eight hours assisting that community.

March 27, 3:07 p.m.:  The fire department was notified of a smell of something burning at a store located at 250 Main St. Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke emanating from the roof and rear corner of the building. Further investigation revealed a fire in a café at this location. Fire personnel force entered into the business, as it was closed, and quickly and aggressively extinguished the fire. The fire was contained to the kitchen area of the business. The business directly adjacent to it suffered minor smoke damage. Firefighters from Florham Park, Morris Twp., Cedar Knolls and Chatham provided assistance. Fire personnel were on scene for approximately 3 ½ hours. The fire is currently under investigation.

Additionally, during the month, the fire department responded to 14 fire alarm activations, four calls related to carbon monoxide and 31 incidents of assistance. If anyone needs non-emergency assistance, please call 973-593-3021 for an on-duty firefighter.