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Fire Sunday at High Rise;
Investigators are looking for definitive clues as to the cause of a fire at the Newark High Rise on July 13. 'I was always afraid that this would happen,' said Dick Colacino, longtime firefighter, former Chief, and now Arcadia Supervisor. Colacino, who had responded many times to minor calls at the 'high rise' at the corner of Miller and East Avenue, was referring to the major incident that happened late Sunday morning. The Newark Volunteer Fire Dept. received to Box 524, a radio box alarm from the Newark Housing Authority High Rise Apartment Building located at 200 East Miller St. The alarm was received at 11:46 a.m. Firefighters responded with the first arriving officer was Third Assistant Chief Dave Greco, who upon seeing heavy smoke coming from a fifth-floor window, the apartment of Mrs. Barbara DeRoo, ordered a general alarm and called for the Lyons Fire Department's 'Fast Team.' Arriving at the scene, Assistant Chief Mike Colacino ordered a complete evacuation of the building which took over 30 minutes to complete. Officials credited firefighters and Newark Housing Authority employees who reported to the scene early during the emergency to assist in the evacuation. Several residents were brought down from upper floors in wheelchairs or stretchers, using a firefighter's override key to enable the building's elevator. No serious injuries were reported.
The Wayne County Red Cross, Director Jim Love, and Disaster Coordinator Dwight (Woody) Seufert, along with several Red Cross volunteers, were on the scene early to offer help. Five ambulances were dispatched to the scene, including Newark's equipment, and a unit each from Fairville and Port Gibson. Fairville and Newark ALS transported one resident to Newark Arcadia Hospital where they were treated for chest pain. Two other residents were treated and released by Newark Ambulance, and they also provided Firefighter rehab. The Lyons Ambulance stood by for Newark Ambulance. Newark Mayor Peter Blandino arrived at fire headquarters, prepared to help where needed. The fire investigation team from Wayne County is determining the cause and origin, which according to investigators, might be careless smoking or an electrical problem. All residents except Mrs. DeRoo were allowed to return to their apartments, by order of the Newark Code Enforcement Officer, who will continue the building inspection. About 54 people, either senior citizens or disabled, live at the 'High Rise,' originally built as a Senior Citizens only apartment building, in the 1970s. According to Assistant Chief Mike Colacino, previous fire drills were valuable, especially in the evacuation plan. He complimented all firefighters, emergency workers and Housing Authority employees who prevented a more serious situation from developing. Firefighters were back in service at 3:26 p.m. According to Dick Colacino, the Fire Department has access to a complete list of tenants in a book located on the first floor of the High Rise to aid in efforts to ensure that all residents are accounted for. Annual drills are held, but residents are not eager to leave their apartments during these drills. Colacino is concerned by the lack of fire suppression systems in apartments, and the fact that smoking is allowed inside the building. James DeVolder, Executive Director of the Newark Housing Authority, said Mrs. DeRoo was moved to the Newark Quality Inn on Sunday afternoon, and was to be re-located to another apartment within the complex on Monday. The Housing Authority Service Coordinator was working with DeRoo to help notify family and attend to her immediate needs. Copyright
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Evacuated residents were taken to the Fire Hall, until they could return to their apartments. Residents were served lunches by the Newark Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary.