Clifton Journal-
Clifton Avenue fire attributed to faulty attic electrical wiring
2/26/09
CLIFTON – Souhail and Meyda Katrib, who live in the first floor apartment at 379 Clifton Ave., were watching television shortly after noon last Friday when firefighters knocked on their door and told them the house was on fire. The two had no clue that smoke was rising through the roof of the three-apartment home, said acting Fire Chief Joseph Verderosa. He said with the television on, the Katribs could not hear the activated smoke detector in the third floor apartment.
Police vehicles quickly blocked off Clifton Avenue between First and Second streets to motorists while firefighers worked to extinguish the fire which has been attributed to faulty electrical wiring in a ventilator in the attic, said Verderosa.
While area residents lined the street to watch, five fire trucks surrounded the home, with one extending its ladder to the attic window on the third floor where the fire originated. Nearly 20 fully-equipped firefighters either entered or surrounded the house to battle the fire.
"The Passaic Fire Department was on the scene," Verderosa said, adding, "We usually get mutual aid to cover the City during fires, like Montclair and Little Falls."
Two ambulances were standing by with stretchers prepared, but Verderosa said that there were no injuries on the scene.
At 1 p.m., flames were shooting out of holes in the roof. Verderosa said the holes were initially caused by the fire, but firefighters "expanded them from the inside to help vent the smoke and clear burning debris."
Danny Neman, son of homeowner Sam Neman, arrived on the scene and after speaking with fire officials, stood speaking with the members of the Katrib family, who were still wearing robes and sweats.
Neman said the two men who live on the second floor were not home at the time of the fire.
At 1:08 p.m., firefighters told Neman the fire was out.
"Thankfully no one was up there and no one got hurt," said Neman. "I’m glad the house is still standing."
By 1:15 p.m., homeowner Sam Neman arrived on the scene and appeared upset. He was not available for comment.
By 1:30 p.m., firefighters began cleaning up equipment from the street and some police vehicles left.
Verderosa said there was no illegal activity noted in the home, and City Manager Al Greco said the property had not previously been issued any violations.
E-mail: greenberg@northjersey.com