Bogota, N.J.     Some 60 residents of a three-story apartment building on Palisade av. were displaced as the result of a 4-alarm fire that raced through the structure's cockloft, February 9^th.

Around 2 p.m., local volunteer fire companies were dispatched to the apartment house for a report of a fire in Apartment 9,  Fire Chief Alex Breuss told News12 NJ.  Engine company members stretched a line to the top floor as residents evacuated the structure.   

“An aggressive effort was made for nearly an hour by all Bogota fire companies and our mutual aid partners,” according to a department Facebook post.  

It became evident that the fire was rapidly racing through the structure's cockloft.  As conditions worsened, and evacuation order was given.  Fire broke through the roof and a partial roof collapse was experienced.  

Defensive operations included two ladder pipe operations from Bogota Ladder 1 and Hackensack Ladder 2, plus a deck gun from Bogota Engine 3 on the Palisade av. side of the fire. Leonia Ladder Co. 1 backed in to a private home's driveway, on the north side of the building, maneuvered the aerial ladder around over head power lines, and also set up a ladder pipe operation. 

As heavy smoke traveled over the neighborhood, including nearby Interstate 80, additional mutual aid fire units were called to the scene along with EMS personnel.  First responders set up a drone and observed roof conditions at the command post.  

Additional mutual aid fire units that operated at the scene came from Ridgefield Park, Teaneck, Englewood, Little Ferry, Fort Lee, River Edge, Bergenfield, Hasbrouck Heights and South Hackensack.  The Teaneck Box 54 Club set up their canteen truck for rehab purposes during the fire, in a 33 degree temperature.  

The fire was declared under control at 5:05 p.m. It was reported that one resident was transported to a local hospital.  Fire victims were assisted by the Bogota Volunteer Ambulance Corps. and the Red Cross.  

The cause of the fire was being investigated by the Bogota Fire Prevention Bureau with assistance from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office.