Teaneck, NJ- Multi Fatal 3-22-05

[Truck4 48]

Teaneck FD sent to house prior to fire for inside smoke.

http://cbsnewyork.com/topstories/topstorie..._081083141.html

[Guest x2371]

Is this th same one I saw on the news where the FD went to the house earlier for a smell or smoke and said all is good?? This could end up being a disaster. Some one is in a lot of trouble

[afd65 4]

wow theres goin to be a big investigation into this one

[Guest x2371]

TEANECK, N.J. (AP) -- Hours after firefighters responding to a report of smoke in a home's basement found a minor problem with a furnace and returned to their station, flames erupted early Tuesday, killing four children and injuring their mother and a nanny.

Fire officials determined the blaze was caused by an overloaded electrical circuit, a condition not readily apparent during Monday night's inspection.

''The lines are in the wall,'' Deputy Chief Frank Florio said. ''You look at the wires and you feel the wall. Usually after the fact is when you find it.''

Two girls, ages 7 and 14, escaped after their mother handed them to a neighbor who had propped a ladder against the burning house, authorities said. The girls were hospitalized, but no information was released on their conditions.

Fire Chief John Bauer said his department got a call Monday night reporting smoke in the basement of the three-story brick house.

''On our arrival, there was no smoke,'' he said. ''We spent over a half-hour checking the house. We couldn't find anything wrong with the house. We checked all the electrical devices.''

Bauer said investigators did find a problem with a low-water cutoff valve in the home's furnace but said it was not something that would have caused a fire. The family was advised to have it repaired.

At least three smoke detectors inside the house were functioning properly, he said.

About five hours later, the family's nanny, who had been sleeping on a couch on the first floor, woke to heavy smoke and yelled to the mother, police Lt. Norman Levine said.

''Apparently they couldn't make it down the stairs. They tried to get out the windows, but only a few of them made it,'' Levine said.

The mother, Philyss Seidenfeld, 42, was trapped in a second-floor bathroom and was rescued by police and firefighters who wrenched out the frame of a window to free her, authorities said. She was listed in critical condition.

The nanny, Betty Mbaza, 37, was in serious condition.

The children killed in the fire were Ari Seidenfeld, 15; his brothers, Noah, 6, and Natan, 4; and a 5-year-old sister, Adira.

The children's father was not at home, Levine said. Broadcast reports said the couple was divorced

[mikeinet 37]

I wonder if they had a thermal imaging camera and used it at all...

[Guest ewsmith70]

I have a really hard time pointing fingers on this one. I think everyone who has spent time in the fire service has responded to the inside odor of smoke call that has dissipated prior to arrival and found no cause and after a diligent search took up. Investigators are pointing to a basement refrig/freezer so a hypothesis on this is when the motor kicked on it spewed smoke/odor and then kicked off FD arrives finds nothing and leaves. I think this could have happened to any department. Just be glad it wasn't you and keep it in your head for the next one when you can't find the source. And yes i agree the TIC is essential in this type of run but is just a tool and the tool under your helmet is always your best resource.

[4truck48 25]

Don't monday morning quarterback this call. If you spend a 1/2 hour looking for something and you don't find any odor or smoke how long are you required stay. If they( the FD ) smelled something burning and left then that's a different story, but that wasn't the case. Check the smoke detctors to make sure that they are working and tell the residents if they smell anything to call us back. Nobody likes leaving without finding a cause, but sometimes that's what you have to do.

[doug_e 0]

My heart felt condolences go out to the family of the deceased. But for me, more importantly, my sympathy for the brothers and sisters of the Teaneck emergency services who'll have to endure the heartbreak of feeling that they could've done more. Without seeing any of the operations that night I know beyond the shadow of a doubt you all did everything you could to save those who perished. Our prayers are for all of you to find the strength and will to grow from this tragedy and not dwell on what might have been.

For the rest of us remember; There, but for the grace of God, go I.

The quote at the bottom of this page sums up why we do what we do.

[Guest]

Very well said Capt. Doug, and I join you in the same thoughts and prayers.

[DOC22 1]

Excellent post, Capt. Doug! My thoughts and prayers go to all involved.