UPDATE – Must see video: Five firefighters injured in explosion, described as backdraft, at Harrison, NJ 5-alarm fire.
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Video above by T00LS. Video below by quake4ever2007,
UPDATE
Five firefighters were hurt in a terrifying explosion and extra-alarm blaze in Harrison, N.J., Sunday afternoon.
.. when the fire was at its height, a dangerous backdraft was caught on video, CBS 2’s Steve Langford reported. Backdrafts are an explosive phenomenon, and they are one of the worst things that can go wrong in a firefight.
One of those badly hurt when the backdraft erupted was a battalion chief.
“When that glass blew out, he got it all in his face and his body,” said Harrison fire Capt. Robert Gillen. “He was bleeding profusely.”
The blast sent firefighters flying into the air, said Harrison Fire Captain Robert Gille.
“They were literally thrown out of the building by the smoke explosion.”
Five firefighters were rushed to an area hospital; two are being help for further examination the captain said. At least one suffered bad cuts.
EARLIER
Firefighters in Harrison, New Jersey are battling a five-alarm fire at an industrial building that has extended to adjoining buildings.
The fire broke out Sunday on the 600 block of Frank E. Rodgers Avenue.
A number of firefighters were injured by flying debris when they were caught up in a partial backdraft explosion that blew out windows.
The fire appeared to have started at 600-602 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd., a two-story building at the corner of Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard North and Davis Street. It then spread next door to 604-606 Frank E. Rodgers, a two-story residential building.
Harrison officials still have not commented on the fire.
After the explosion occurred, at least two firefighters stumbled out of the building and one of them collapsed on the ground.
EMS and other firefighters rushed to help them. They were both placed in ambulances.
