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LITTLE FERRY, NJ - A rapidly moving fire tore through a commercial building on the evening of January 16, 2010 bringing in scores of firefighters from several sections of Bergen County to fight the all-night blaze.

Shortly before 9:00 p.m. fire companies were dispatched to the Heaven's Fitness Center and Spa, and when Battalion Chief Flyod Novack's arrived he reported smoke showing and a working fire. Smoke was emanating from a two-to-one-story masonry 125 feet-by-50 feet structure. Fire Chief Bill Holley arrived and transmitted a second alarm.

Officials said a passing police officer noticed smoke coming from the building and ran into the business to alert occupants to evacuate.

An interior attack was made by firefighters, but the fast moving fire and thick smoke turned the operation into a defensive attack. The fire began in the one-story section and extended to the two-story area. Numerous calls for addition fire companies were made bringing in units from mid and South Bergen and Secaucus in Hudson County. Several Bergen County mutual aid coordinators reported to the scene to assist in supplying resources. It was estimated that over 100 firefighters responded to the fire.

Master streams were set up as a huge column of thick black smoke rose into the sky and fire and flames began to vent from the structure, including through the roof. Along the Route 46 side, tower ladders were put to work from Little Ferry and Moonachie. In addition, there were ladder pipe operations by South Hackensack and Ridgefield Park Truck 1. To attack the fire from the rear, Rochelle Park Truck 1's tower and Wallington Truck 1's ladder pipe were set up on Woodland Avenue and shot their streams over private homes to hit the flames.

Heavy smoke dominated for an extended period of time, and fire officers ordered master streams shut down in order to allow the deep seated fire to vent before the streams were re-charged.

Route 46 was shut down in both directions from the Little Ferry Circle to Liberty Street which hurt businesses that were open. In addition, the highway took on a large amount of water flowing down to the circle, which is known to flood during heavy rain storms.

Local EMS units and the Teaneck Box 54 Club set up a rehab station on the east side of the highway, and members walked around passing refreshments to firefighters that were still hard at work.

The stubborn fire continued to burn into the early morning hours. As the master streams started to win, some mutual aid companies were released around 3 a.m. Fire companies continued to work at the scene all during the day. Mutual aid coordinators reached out to other sections of the county, such as East Bergen, for relief and/or re-locating companies.

After the fire was brought under control a heavy crane was called in and used to remove the rear two-story wall that had the potential of collapsing on adjacent homes and garages. Removing the wall also assisted firefighters reach smoldering flames.