On the evening of 28 January 1997, E-302, E-304, L-306, R-308 and Car 311 responded to an alarm of fire at 297 Essex Street.
With heavy smoke showing on arrival, Deputy 2 ordered a 2nd Alarm struck and Engine 302 laid a 4 inch supply line to Engine 304's pump.
Just as the supply line was being charged, a New Jersey Transit bus proceeded to drive over the partially charged 4 inch hose and one of the couplings became wedged between the dual tires on the bus.
The bus continued to move and before it was stopped the 4" hose wrapped around the tires of the bus as shown in photos below.
Fortunately no one was injured and the second alarm Engine (E-301) was notified to lay a 3" supply line from an alternate hydrant.
The bus driver was issued two summonses by the Hackensack Police Dept.

Photos courtesy of
F/F Mike Coppola
Rochelle Park Fire Dept.

Last modified on Friday, March 28, 1997