Dramatic Steeple Rescue Among Madison Fire Department's Calls

The responded to more than 80 calls in the month of November, including a dramatic rescue of workers from a towering church steeple in Morristown.

The department in its monthly Fire Focus said it responded to 84 calls in November, 28 of them Emergency Medical Service assists. Among the noteworthy incidents:

Nov. 1, 12:11 a.m.: Firefighters responded to a call for mutual aid from Chatham Borough for a house fire. Madison firefighters helped extinguish the fire as well as with overhaul operations, which is essentially making sure there are no hidden pockets of fire within the structure and ventilation of the residence, said Chief Lou DeRosa. Department units remained at the fire scene for approximately two hours.
 
Nov. 3, 2:15 p.m.: Fire personnel responded to a call for mutual aid from Morristown for a high-angle rescue. Two contractors using a lift to examine the top of a church steeple approximately 125 feet in the air became stranded when a mechanical issue caused the unit to lock into place. The workmen were unharmed but were not able to get the lift to function properly. Multiple fire agencies were involved and, ultimately, a Madison volunteer firefighter who is also a retired officer was hoisted by large crane in a basket known as a “man cage” to the workmen. The workers were moved to the cage and all were lowered safely to the ground. Madison personnel were on scene for approximately three hours.
 
Nov. 8, 8:44 p.m.: Firefighters responded to an apartment complex on Wilmer St. for an activated carbon monoxide alarm. Fire personnel found elevated readings of a hazardous vapor and began to evacuate all four apartments in the affected cluster. Further investigation found the source to be related to staining that occurred in the basement earlier in the day and was not ventilated properly. None of the occupants required medical treatment. Fire personnel were on scene for approximately 90 minutes.
 
Nov. 28, 5:21 a.m.: Firefighters responded to a North St. residence for a report of smoke in the house. Fire personnel found a smoke condition in the home, and searched for a cause and to ensure all occupants were out safely. The cause of the smoke was an overheated furnace that melted an adjacent plastic bucket. The house was ventilated all occupants were able to return. Madison units were on the scene for 45 minutes.