Deployment Stories

Fire Interruption Technology Prevents NJ Furnace Fire Progress and Buys Time

Flanders, NJ
October 2009

When called to a structure fire at 4:00 AM on October 18, Flanders firefighters used their Fire Interruption Technology device to prevent rapidly spreading flames from destroying a bi-level home in Flanders, NJ.

When Fire Chief Fred Detoro Jr. and Assistant Chief Greg Widzemok arrived on scene, they found flames and smoke on both levels of the home, with heavy involvement on the second floor. Once all occupants were evacuated, Chief Detoro deployed Ara's device on the second floor of the home to slow progress of fire and buy time until additional units arrived.

“We had heavy second floor involvement,” said Chief Detoro. “I opened the door and threw it right into the flames. Within 15 seconds the unit activated and altered the intensity and forward movement of the fire on all floors.”

Within minutes, Firefighters from the first arriving engine company found and extinguished the remaining flames on the second floor with a mixture of water, air, and foam. It was determined that the fire started in the area of the furnace room. While the home sustained damage on both floors and the attic, the department predicts that the structure would have been completely destroyed had Ara's device not been deployed.

“[Fire Interruption Technology] is one of the newest technologies available to firefighters,” said Chief Detoro. “It’s ideal for a volunteer department like ours because the fire chiefs often arrive on scene before the engines. We can buy a little time with the [device]. That’s what happened here.”

One of the residents was transported to the to Saint Clare’s Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. Firefighters from Budd Lake and Chester, the Mount Olive Police Department and members of the Budd Lake Fire Ladies’ Auxiliary also responded to the scene.

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