WONDER DOG

Photo: Gong Club Inc. Facebook, Collection of Jimmy Carey

Ralph the Wonder Dog, mascot of Jersey City's Engine 6, posing in 1975

FAIRYLAND FIRE, PATERSON - 1955

Photo: patersonfirehistory.com

On Jan. 15, 1955, a fairyland display in a Paterson home went up in flames during a fund-raising party, claiming the life of its sponsor, Emma Ench.   

The 1,200 square-foot display featured 500 characters from nursery rhymes and story books, according to The Morning Call newspaper.

It was built to raise funds for the Damon Runyon Cancer Fund in memory of Ench's  mother, who died of cancer.

Hundreds of people had visited the display, called the "Land of Let's Believe," over the holidays.

The blaze was apparently sparked by a marshmallow that fell onto the display erected in the basement of the home.

Ench suffered burns trying to extinguish the flames with a pitcher of water.

Firefighter Reginald Ripley pulled her from the first floor "and almost dropped from the intense heat and smoke," the newspaper said.

Twenty-five men, women and children escaped up a stairway with six suffering injuries.

Box 347 was transmitted for 95 Totowa Ave. at 6:42 p.m. 

NEWARK - 1978

On May 26, 1978, three major fires struck Newark - including a pair of four alarmers. "The first leveled 16 wood frame tenements at Avon Avenue and Ridgewood (and) a scant six hours later, fire destroyed nine buildings at Mt. Prospect and 6th Avenue," the Newark Fire Department website said. "As the fire on Mt. Prospect Avenue was being fought a two-alarm blaze broke out in three buildings at High and Crane streets."

PATERSON PROJECTS - 1980

Photo: Collection of Bruno Wendt

Ladder up! Paterson firefighters knocked down an apartment blaze with a ladder pipe at the Christopher Columbus Projects in February 1980. The projects - nicknamed CCP - included four 16-story towers, which have since been demolished.

3 ALARMS, PATERSON - 1953

Photo: Paterson Retired Firefighters Facebook

On Sept. 3, 1953, fire crews contended with a three-alarm blaze at 80 Pennington Street, Paterson, N.J. Box 156 was transmitted at 8:05 p.m. Photograph from Vince Marchese collection.

469-471 BROADWAY - 1981

Photo: Collection of Bruno Wendt

On Feb. 15, 1981, a four-alarm fire struck a row of frame buildings at Broadway and Madison Avenue in Paterson, sending a man diving out a third-floor apartment window. The jumper, identified as James Lawson, was admitted to the intensive care unit at St. Joseph's Hospital, according to the Paterson News. Lawson said someone stole his wallet after he landed. Box 265 was transmitted for 469-471 Broadway at 6:40 a.m.