Photo by Bill Tompkins

A diner that has become an institution on East Ridgewood Avenue in Paramus, N.J., was destroyed by a three-alarm blaze on Sept. 12.

The Paramus (N.J.) Fire Department was dispatched just after 1900 HRS to the Tom Sawyer Diner at 98 East Ridgewood Ave. after people inside reported hearing an explosion in the basement and then saw smoke filling the dining area.

First-arriving units found a heavy smoke condition throughout the building. A second alarm was transmitted, bringing additional Paramus units to the scene and mutual aid in for coverage. All of the customers were safely evacuated.

The smoke condition intensified as the roof was vented and the front windows were taken out. Firefighters discovered that the seat of the fire was in the basement, and a rush call was made to the utilities because it was believed the fire was gas fed.

A third alarm was then transmitted, bringing in mutual aid from Washington Township, Oradell and Fair Lawn. Firefighters dug at the curb to attempt to shut the gas off at the street; however, before that could be accomplished, the first-floor dining area flashed on the west side of the diner. Heavy fire vented through the windows as firefighters tried to keep the flames in check using two handlines. Because the gas was still flowing, the fire still burned freely in the basement.

Once the gas had been shut down at the street, Truck 4, a deck gun and numerous handlines applied heavy water to the structure. The visible fire was soon extinguished and companies began overhaul.