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Stunning Vid Shows Explosion That Rocked NJ, ‘Literally’ Threw Firefighters Out of a Burning Building

Mar. 11, 2013 10:23am Erica Ritz

Video Shows Explosion That Rocked Harrison, NJ, Injured Five Firefighters

Firefighters battle a multialarm fire at an industrial building in Harrison, N.J. , Sunday, March 10, 2013. (Photo: AP)

Video of an explosion that injured five firefighters in New Jersey has surfaced, showing emergency responders tackling an existing fire when an ominous cloud of smoke suddenly becomes a massive explosion.

“They were literally thrown out of the building by the smoke explosion,” Harrison Fire Capt. Robert Gille said of his team.

The flames, which reportedly began at a Mexican restaurant, quickly spread to a nearby apartment building and the Church Dios Luz and Vida sometime after 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning.

The five-alarm fire sent up a smoke cloud that could be seen for miles, forcing travel delays and even the re-routing of a local St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Here’s cell phone video of the relatively controllable fire suddenly exploding into the street:

“I heard a noise and I saw smoke going up into the air,” eyewitness Donna Padovano told MyFoxNY. “It was very scary, there were flames coming from every single window.”

Authorities say five firefighters were injured, and six people are temporarily homeless as a result.

No civilian casualties were reported, however, and none of the injuries are considered life-threatening. One firefighter, though, suffered extensive cuts when the backdraft caused an explosion that shattered a nearby window.

A woman who was at the now-devastated Church Dios Luz and Vida simply commented: “We’re thankful overall God got all of us out…and the materials can be replaced.”

The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

CBS2 News has more on the story:

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Comments (11)

TROONORTH
Posted on March 12, 2013 at 10:45am
Mexican restaurant? Must have been a natural gas explosion.

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lvjohn
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:48pm
Chris Christie should call his pal barak and as for aid for these people.

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RoscoePColtrane
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:12pm
One firefighter and three bystanders helping fight the fire from the doorway. The Chief walks around with the white helmet clueless to scene safety and smoke conditions. I guess his climb to the top of the department through the promotional process never involved reading about smoke conditions or ventilation. Maybe it was more along the lines of “he’s one of the good ol’ boys” lets give ‘em a white helmet. I hope he second guess the decision he made to allow citizens so close to the scene. But it’s probably more along the lines of, “did you see the big fire I was on?” I’m praying the citizens or firefighters weren’t seriously injured from that.

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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 10:50am
As the article stated, material stuff can be replaced; Thank God indeed that no one was killed or badly hurt in the explosion.

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Gonzo
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 10:41am
Don’t worry, their union will strike against firemen being forced into burning buildings.

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- awayyougo
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:41am
  Your an idiot! You know nothing about fireman or their unions otherwise you would not make such an ignorant comment like that!
  
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starman70
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 10:32am
The original “OH S***!” moment. As al 45 year volunteer firefighter, I know all too well how this scenario developed. Thank GOD the injuries weren’t truly life threatening.

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- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 10:51am
  What do you think might have caused it?
  
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- awayyougo
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:44am
  @ snowlepard…
  
  It looks like a classic backdraft. The contents in the building are smoldering because the fire has burned up all the oxygen. When the fireman entered a room that was oxygen deprived, the oxygen rushed in and gave the fire an opportunity to spread and the whole room and building then goes in one big flash. All the oxygen rushes in and then an explosion happens. Thats the easiest way to explain it.
  
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- Two Sheds
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 7:59pm
  @Snow…
  
  Hella Burirto!!!
  
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Zipit
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 10:30am
Just think how many more of these brave men could have been injured if it weren’t for sequestration!

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