Videography by Joe Scurto, Fred Bacchi, Joseph Scurto, David Spira
Manhattan 5th Alarm Feb. 24, 2009 Box 55-0132
James St. & St. James St. Chinatown Section
Fire started on the 2nd floor of a 6 brick O/M/D. Fire quickly spread through out the structure and into the exposure. Numerous civilians had to be assisted in evacuations. Several MAY-DAY’s were transmitted. Extremely heavy out the rear of the building.
Manhattan 7th Alarm April 11, 2010 Box 55-0259
Forsyth St & Grand St. Chinatown Section
The fire originated in the basement of 283 Grand Street which was a six-story mixed occupancy (stores with dwellings above). Initially the main body of fire could not be located. Heavy smoke with total black out conditions in the basement along with high heat and a large amount of stock and equipment hampered the search for the fire. The fire broke out on the first floor, additionally, fire quickly spread next door to 285 Grand St. The fire found it way into the enclosed air shaft between the buildings as well as the buildings pipe recesses.
Extremely heavy fire started to extend into apartments on different floors of both buildings. This was because windows faced into this closed shaft. Hampering initial operations was the large number of civilians in the building at the time of the fire that had to be evacuated. Increasing smoke, heat and fire conditions on the upper floors of both buildings required firefighters to evacuate the civilians via front fire escapes. After receiving numerous reports of heavy fire conditions on various floors, the incident commander ordered the buildings evacuated. The fire also spread to the upper floors, cockloft and roof of 289 Grand St. Numerous ladder companies, several additional Battalion Chiefs, one Deputy Chief and an additional F A S T ladder were special called.
