Welcome to Long Branch FMBA Local 68

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168 Chelsea Avenue - July 22, 2011 - 2nd Alarm

Firefighters battled a fire at a three-story apartment building Friday and fought oppressive heat conditions as well, the fire chief said. The fire at 168 Chelsea Avenue was reported at 10:15 a.m. and contained to one room, but because of the triple digit temperatures hitting the area just before noon, companies from five nearby Monmouth County communities were called, said Fire Chief Al Sico .

No injuries were reported. All of the occupants were out on arrival, Sico said. He said there was smoke coming from Firefighters dragged lines to the third floor of the building and fought heat and intense smoke, he said.

The fire was extinguished, but because it had spread to furniture, carpets and papers in the apartment, firefighters remained on the scene for an hour to ensure the fire was out. “The overhaul was extensive because there was so much in the apartment,’’ Sico said. “It was very cluttered and even the floor of the apartment was burning. There was clothing and furniture burning too.’’

He said 60 firefighters from Asbury Park, Sea Bright and Monmouth Beach responded while firefighters from Oceanport and Fort Monmouth responded for a Rapid Intervention Team. The RIT is called to a fire scene so they are available to rescue firefighters if they should become trapped in a fire, especially one with multiple stories. He said firefighters from West Long Branch covered the station in Long Branch while firefighters were at the scene.

As a precaution, the fire department set up misting machines to help firefighters cool down from the heat, Sico said. He said firefighters worked in 10 to 12 minute shifts because of the intense heat from the day. The chief said firefighters would come out of the building and sit in front of the misting fans to cool down. While they were cooling in front of the fans, another team of firefighters would go into the building.

The chief said the heat of the day, plus the insulation of the protective turnout gear and the strenuous work at the fire scene, seemed “like a sauna’’ for firefighters. He said the fire was investigated by the fire department and determined to have been accidental. Firefighters used fans to ventilate the building because of heavy smoke.

Emergency personnel rest in the shade at the scene of a fire on Chelsea Avenue in Long Branch. (BOB BIELK/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

Asbury Park firefighter Rich Dreyer is covered with sweat after fighting a fire on Chelsea Avenue in Long Branch. (BOB BIELK/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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