On the evening of December 29^th, Cliffside Park firefighters were toned out for a fire reported at a Gorge Road apartment building.  When they arrived, firefighters encountered heavy smoke in a first-floor apartment.  They lined in and attempted to locate the seat of the fire.  Firefighters were hampered by “hoarding conditions.”

A working fire assignment was transmitted bring Ridgefield Engine 2 and Fairview Truck 2 to the scene.

Firefighter Carl Lupica began to advance his hose line, backed up by Lt. Dan Baxter.  Lupica's twin brother, Lt. Anthony, Jr., “fed the line” into the apartment so they could “make a push.”  

At this point, firefighters heard a man gasping for air.  Lt. Baxter saw a leg and he and Lt. Lupica located the victim and pulled him out of the burning-smoke-filled room into the hands of Battalion Chief Jo Jo Diaz, Captain Enes Hoti and Firefighter Alex Araya.  

The members carried the victim out of the building and into the hands of awaiting EMS personnel.  The man was initially transported to Hackensack University Medical Center and later transferred to St. Barnabas Medical Center, in Livingston.  The victim was listed in critical condition.  

Teamwork and aggressive firefighting efforts contributed to the rescue of the Gorge Road resident.